Millwall’s sights are firmly set on the Premier League, and with a top-six finish looking increasingly likely, the Lions are still chasing Coventry City and Middlesbrough for automatic promotion.

Millwall has made incremental gains year after year, and the club is now in serious contention for promotion to the Premier League for the first time this season.

Under the tutelage of former Preston North End and Stoke City manager Alex Neil, the Lions are within touching distance of the top flight, with a play-off spot appearing increasingly possible if they do not finish in the top two.

Femi Azeez and Mihailo Ivanovic have received praises in attack, but it is their back line that has been the foundation of their success this season.

Many defenders have come and gone over the years, including the ever-present Jake Cooper, but the 31-year-old has remained at the heart of the defence.

As one defender departed this summer, another signed, and some Millwall fans will claim that they improved while making a healthy profit.

Millwall reshuffles its defense options

This summer, Japhet Tanganga left The Den for Sheffield United for a fee of up to £10 million, while Caleb Taylor joined Millwall from West Brom for a measly £2.5 million.

Taylor has flourished alongside Cooper and Crama in Millwall’s defence, whilst Tanganga has struggled since moving to South Yorkshire.

Lucas, a Millwall fan analyst on Football League World, has discussed the selling of Tanganga and reinvesting the money in Taylor, with Crama already at the club, and has mentioned the constant in their back line throughout all of these players’ success.

Lucas stated, “They could be some of the best work we’ve done in recent years.” I’m not sure how much we spent for Tristan Crama, but he remains one of the greatest right-backs and center-halves in the division.Yeah, Caleb Taylor, West Brom definitely did not want to sell him, but I believe their hand was pushed by financial fair play laws and everything that comes with them these days. And, of course, Taylor is an academy potential, so it’s pure business for them.

Tanganga was really good to us. He was an outstanding center-back for the majority of his time with us. That being said, he hasn’t had the best season at Sheffield United, according to all sources. “After a strong start to the season, Chris Wilder returned.

“There are clearly other factors at work, and it is not always the players’ fault. However, it speaks loudly when a player leaves and does not perform as well. “All of these players who excel at center-back have one thing in common: they have played alongside Jake Cooper.”In recent years, we’ve seen various centre-halves perform admirably with Coops.

You may be familiar with Dan Ballard, who is now enjoying success in the Premier League with Sunderland. Charlie Cresswell, who has attracted interest from some large clubs, has done exceptionally well during his loan stay with us. Tanganga clearly had that period. Now it’s Taylor and Crama.

Coop’s is sometimes undervalued, but one of the first names that opposing teams pick out when playing us, particularly from a defensive standpoint.But, generally, I believe the fees we have for Tanganga are approximately £8 million or so, with the possibility of increasing up to £10 million.

Additionally, Crama and Taylor are performing exceptionally well. Overall, it is a nice experience.Time will tell, and the club has clearly moved toward this new transfer plan and is fully dedicated to it, to be fair. So it’s been a terrific overall experience.”

Jake Cooper remains crucial for Millwall.

With Taylor emerging as one of the second-tier’s brightest young defenders and Crama already cementing his status as not only one of the league’s best centre-backs, but also one of the best right-backs, it’s no surprise that Cooper has spent the majority of his time alongside them.

Tanganga’s struggle to reach his prior heights after leaving Millwall is unsurprising given Cooper’s absence, while both Charlie Cresswell and Dan Ballard previously spent time on loan at The Den alongside Cooper before succeeding elsewhere.

Millwall will be hoping Taylor follows in their footsteps, with Cooper having an impact on him.

Taylor, unlike Cresswell and Ballard, is a permanent member of the Lions and has the potential to not only outperform them in terms of ability, but also to help take the team to the Premier League and sell for a large profit in the future.

Millwall’s astute recruitment continues, and Cooper’s impact on his defensive teammates cannot be overstated.