Chesterfield are keen to tie striker Lee Bonis down to a new contract. According to Alan Nixon, several League One clubs are reportedly monitoring the Northern Ireland international ahead of the end of his current deal, which expires at the end of the season.
Paul Cook’s side are eager to retain the forward, who has scored four goals this season after an impressive debut campaign in Derbyshire. The forward netted 13 league goals last term and earned the league’s December Player of the Month award.
The 27-year-old also played a crucial role in securing a place in the League Two play-offs, scoring three times across the final two league fixtures. He netted twice against Crewe Alexandra before opening the scoring against Swindon Town, helping the Spireites secure their place in the end-of-season competition.
League One Ready
There is evidence that Bonis can make the step up should Chesterfield fail to secure promotion. Last season, he started and scored against League One clubs Stevenage and Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup.
The striker’s goalscoring pedigree extends beyond English football. He scored 32 league goals for Larne, helping the Northern Irish club win back-to-back league titles before moving to Dutch second-tier side ADO Den Haag. He has earned four senior caps for Northern Ireland.
His recent contributions against Crawley Town and York City also demonstrate that he remains capable of making a difference in the final third. While Marsh’s presence presents Cook with a welcome selection headache, it should not overshadow the value of retaining an established forward at the club.
Bonis’ record against League One opposition suggests he is a major asset in Derbyshire, and should Chesterfield fail to win promotion, he may be capable of a move away from the club. The Spireites, however, will be keen to keep a striker who is happy at the club and has demonstrated his importance to the side and to their aspirations of League One football.
Should Chesterfield Pursue New Deal?
Although promotion ultimately eluded Cook’s side last season, Lee Bonis has shown that he can deliver. Losing an established goalscorer on a free transfer would be an unwelcome outcome for a club hoping to win promotion.
However, the situation is not entirely straightforward. Sheffield United loanee Louie Marsh has emerged as a serious challenger for the Bonis’ place. Marsh has scored five goals in eight league matches, and while competition for places is healthy, the summer signing’s form could leave Bonis weighing up his options.
That is where Chesterfield must be careful. If they want to retain a striker with Bonis’ experience and pedigree, offering a new contract is only part of the puzzle. Regular football and a convincing plan could be just as important, particularly if League One clubs are prepared to offer him a fresh challenge.