Major factor could play a role in contract decision for Millwall midfielder: Opinion

Major factor could play a role in contract decision for Millwall midfielder

Millwall midfielder Billy Mitchell’s contract runs out next summer, and there’s a decision to be made regarding his future.

Millwall have made a positive start to the 2025/26 season after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last campaign. Alex Neil has done a tremendous job since arriving at The Den and will hope to be the man to lead his side to a top six finish.

Neil’s success in South London to date is partly due to the club’s rebuilding of the squad over the past year. Eight players joined in January and 11 arrived this summer. The Lions have also made £28.8m in profit from sales from the past two windows.

As part of the rebuild, plenty of faces have left The Den including long serving members such as George Saville, Murray Wallace and Shaun Hutchinson. One player that has remained during the overhaul is Billy Mitchell.

The Millwall midfielder is a product of the academy and has been a part of the first team since making his debut in 2019. Mitchell has made 168 appearances for the Lions over the past six years, scoring once and providing four assists.

Despite his natural talent, injuries have been a hindrance to the midfielder’s career and has consistently prevented a regular spot in the starting XI. With the 24-year-old’s contract expiring next summer, Millwall have a decision to make over his future.

Billy Mitchell deserves a new contract

Billy Mitchell has made two appearances so far this season but was ruled out after a quad injury sustained. The academy graduate had been one of the Lions’ standout performers to start the campaign.

Injuries restricted Mitchell to just 19 games last term. The midfielder’s overall minutes per year have been on a decline since 2022 and he could struggle to find a place in the team if he is consistently unavailable.

Regardless of his time spent on the sidelines, the 24-year-old does seem to improve with every minute he plays and he has that tenacity that Millwall fans love. His stints in the starting XI are enough to earn him a new deal at The Den and if the Lions do make the play-offs, Mitchell will have played his part.

Millwall have great depth in midfield

Millwall aren’t short of numbers in midfield. Despite an injury crisis to start the season, the investment over the past two windows has proven worthwhile to limit the fallout from players sidelined.

Billy Mitchell, Daniel Kelly, Massimo Luongo, Casper De Norre, Luke Cundle, Will Smallbone, Derek Mazou-Sacko and Ra’ess Bangura-Williams can all operate in that central midfield position and make for a Championship side in real contention for the play-offs.

Rotation will be key for reducing chance of injuries that the Lions have been unfortunate with and Alex Neil has plenty of quality to choose from over the course of the next 40 games of the campaign.