Luton manager Matt Bloomfield has admitted it was a difficult decision to allow Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu to leave Kenilworth Road after more than a decade as a Hatter – but one made in the best interests of both the player and the club.
The midfielder joined Rotherham United on loan for the remainder of the season after a history-making spell with Town, joining in December 2013 and going on to win four promotions, becoming the only player in history to play for the same club in every division from the Conference (now the National League) to the Premier League.
Mpanzu has since played twice for the Millers in the time between Luton’s last Championship game at Sheffield Wednesday, where he was absent from the squad for the first time 86 matches.
Asked how difficult it was to allow the 30-year-old to leave, Bloomfield, who, spent who spent 19 years at Wycombe as a player and manager, said: “Really, really hard because I think, my experience as a player was maybe fairly similar to Pelly in terms of I spent a long time at one club when I played, and Pelly has done the same, so I totally understand it, and I can empathise from his point of view.
“But if you look at the last period of time, he’s not played loads of football, you know, and he wants to play, and I want him to play. He’s a good player. I didn’t see that happening here right now, so we had a good conversation. I think he’s a great lad. I think he’s a great guy. He had a good opportunity to go to Rotherham to play regular first-team football. And it felt it was right for all parties.
“You know, it’s unfortunate in football when you have someone that’s loved so much and admired so much. And I’ve certainly done that from afar and also since I’ve been here. But the right thing for him right now was to go and play football, and we genuinely wish him all the best because he’s played a massive part in Luton’s rise up through the leagues. But he’s someone who wants to play football, and it was right for him.”
Despite just 10 appearances for Luton this term, Mpanzu has been a big presence in the dressing room for more than a decade Bloomfield also spoke about the importance of continuity at the club and the impact of Mpanzu’s departure.
“And it’s up to others in the dressing room to pick up that mantle now. Without Pelly being there and the personality that he brings, there needs to be other players that come to the fore to pick that up,” said Bloomfield.
“It’s crucial. A club [needs] people and figures that our supporters can resonate with and figures that have been here for a while is really important to keep the continuity of the football club and the heritage of the football club. But with that comes individual situations, and you have to respect everyone’s individual situation is different.
“And Pelly’s been a massive player for this football club, and I don’t want to be the guy that’s come in [as manager] and suddenly Pelly’s left. But the world moves on, the game moves on. And missing Pelly around here is big.
“But at the same time, the squad was getting bigger, competition was increasing in midfield, and he hasn’t played loads and loads of football over the last little while. So you have to take all the factors into consideration.
“We had a really good discussion. I think he’s a great guy, and the opportunity to go to Rotherham was a good one for him to go and get regular games. So, again, with his age and all the other bits and pieces that go into it, there’s loads of factors to consider. And this football club is important, but he’s played a massive, massive role here, and you can’t underestimate that.”
Mpanzu has struggled for minutes this season, often being limited to brief substitute appearances, with just one start, and Bloomfield acknowledged how difficult that situation was for him as well as Cauley Woodrow and Tom Holmes, who last week also left on loan for Blackburn and Belgian side FCV Dender, respectively.
“Yeah, it was hard, really. With Holmes, he started a couple of games for us, but for Cauley and Pelly only having 10 or 15 minutes off the bench, or even less in a couple of occasions for Cauley, it’s really hard to feel like you’re doing right by the lads and right by the football club,” he explained.
“So those guys got an opportunity to go and play regular football elsewhere. And obviously, if they’re doing well for themselves, they’ll be doing well for us, which is great.”
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