Millwall release quartet – and Lions boss explains why times is right for them to move on

By Richard Cawley

Millwall have released Christian Mbulu, Noah Chesmain, Harry Girling and Jamie Philpot.

All three youngsters are out of contract at the end of June.

Lions manager Neil Harris said: “We have to think long and hard about what is best – not just for us, but the individual.

“With people like Noah and Christian they are heading towards 21 this year and there is no point them playing under-23s football – it is not going to make you any better.

“The under-23s league isn’t an under-23s league in terms of quality. It is more an under-21s for me, or even under-20s where you drop senior players in when they need games. It is not a league for players who are 21 or 22 to be playing in.

“I couldn’t see where there would be an opportunity for Noah or Christian with us next season at first-team level, so we had to do the respectful things for their career. Hopefully they can find a Football League club elsewhere where they can try and break into the first-team.”