Where Are They Now?

Tom Harris looks over Argyle's departed players this summer, and gives them their half-term report card as football resumes.

As we enter yet another weekend of no league football due to the international break, we take a look back at players who left Argyle at the end of their loan, contract or on permanent transfers over the summer months. 

Let’s take a look and see how they are getting on this season so far.

Ashley Phillips CB -  Loan finished 

The young defender returned to Spurs following the end of a mixed loan spell at Argyle where he made 18 appearances. Despite some reported interest on a potential to Argyle over the summer, Phillips has since moved to Stoke on loan where he has featured sporadically with just 5 appearances so far this campaign. He has 1 goal to his name, a tidy flick into the far corner against Southampton. 

Do Argyle miss him?

The inspired signing of Kornel Szucs, the stand out displays of Lewis Gibson prior to injury and the reemergence of Julio Pleguezeulo make me think Phillips would find game time a struggle if he were to be back on loan this season. 

Callum Burton, GK - Contract Expired.

After making just two appearances in the 2023/24 season Burton moved on at the expiration of his contract. The keeper was third choice behind Michael Cooper and Conor Hazard. Despite playing a vital part in Argyle’s championship promotion, and who could forget the Papa Johns penalty heroics, Burton has now moved to League One Wrexham. It appears he’s playing the role of backup keeper again however, with just three league appearances this season in the Bristol Street Motors trophy and the Carabao Cup.

Do Argyle miss him?

Probably not. Had he stayed he may have featured this season following the injury to Conor Hazard. However Argyle replaced their third choice keeper slot with Marko Marosi who is yet to make his Argyle debut.

Lino Sousa, LB - Loan finished.

Remembered for his welcome video in front of the Devonport End, that’s as good as it got for Lino Sousa who joined at the end of January under Ian Foster. 3 starts and 5 substitute appearances were all the minutes he got as Argyle struggled in the second half of the campaign. The full back returned to parent club Aston Villa and is now on loan at League One Bristol Rovers where has has featured 10 times so far. 

Do Argyle miss him? 

No. Sadly, I think Championship was out of Sousa’s depth at this stage of his career. He wouldn’t have started for Argyle this season, but may have provided cover in the absence or alongside Nathaniel Ogbeta who has yet to get up to top speed in green.

Dan Scarr, CB - Undisclosed transfer fee

I speak for many Argyle fans when I say it was a sad sight to see Dan Scarr go in the summer. The solid defender was a fan favourite among the Green Army and his passion for the club was impossible to miss in his 3 seasons at Home Park. After playing most of mid season, Scarr moved onto Wrexham just days before the start of the season, and was even among the travelling Green Army in the forgettable 4-0 rout at Sheffield Wednesday. He’s played 9 times for Wrexham so far this campaign.

Do Argyle miss him?

Somewhat. Part of my thinking for that was he was a stalwart for some of the best times we’ve had in recent years. However, at times in the Championship he did look at out of depth and I can imagine with the centre back competition he’d have found appearances hard to come by this season. 

Mickel Miller, LM - Contract expired 

On his day, the winger/full back could be quite the force for Argyle however injuries hampered his run in the side. He only scored once in his two seasons at PL2, that strike a deflected effort in a 2-2 draw with Coventry under Ian Foster. He now finds himself at League One promotion chasers Huddersfield Town where he’s featured 13 times thus far. 

Do Argyle miss him? 

No. Unfortunately the wingers end product was found lacking all too often it must be said. With the competition for places on the left wing he also might have found game time hard to come by, although the injury to Cissoko might have opened the door had he stayed. His departure has presented Freddie Issaka with more first team minutes. That exposure will be a vital part of his development.

Tyreik Wright, LM - Permanent transfer fee

The transfer that just didn’t work out at all. The winger signed for Argyle in January 2023 with bright prospects after a positive loan spell at Bradford. However, even in League One he struggled to break into the side before he was loaned back to Bradford in January 2024. The Bantams signed Wright on a permanent undisclosed deal this summer putting an end to his brief spell in Plymouth. He’s made 14 appearances for the Valley Parade outfit this season with no goals.

Do Argyle miss him?

No. 

Michael Cooper, GK - Permanent transfer fee

The Academy prospect has the potential to go right to the very top and frankly the chances of getting there, or close at the moment, are few and far between had he stayed in green. With one year remaining in his deal, and after a summer where he had rejected a stay at Argyle the shot stopper eventually joined Sheffield United at the end of the transfer window for a cut price fee, although future add ons are included. Since then he’s had a marvellous start for the Blades, keeping an impressive 9 clean sheets so far this season as they battle it out at the top end of the table.

Do Argyle miss him? 

Even though Dan Grimshaw has been impressive since joining it would be impossible for Argyle not to miss Cooper. He is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Championship. With the way he and Sheffield United are carrying on, Premier League football can’t be far away… and perhaps an England call up.

Alfie Devine, CM - Loan expired

Having signed in January 2024 from Spurs on a loan deal, Devine failed to set the world alight in his short stint at Argyle. He now plays his football out in Belgium with Westerlo where he has played 7 times this season. 

Do Argyle miss him?

No. He failed to showcase his attributes in the number 10 role and though he improved as a box to box midfielder, he didn’t show enough to suggest he could compete with the likes of Randell or an on form Gyabi this season.