Liam Kelly: The Midfield Metronome Behind MK Dons' Revival
From a difficult debut season to becoming Player of the Year — here's the tactical deep-dive into Liam Kelly's role under Paul Warne heading into the 2026/27 campaign.
On the 4th of July 2024 Liam Kelly signed for MK Dons. It was a... rough season to say the least, with the Dons' worst finish in history — 19th in Sky Bet League Two.
It wasn't only a rough season for the club, it was a rough season for Kelly as well. When he joined the club back in 2024, the expectations were set at such a high standard after his wonder season at Crawley.
Fast forward to 2026, Dons have been promoted to Sky Bet League One and were only 1 point off winning the title.
The Turnaround
Liam Kelly featured in the EFL League Two Team of the Season and won the MK Dons Player of the Year award — proving exactly why the club believed in him.
Clearly a fan favourite, Kelly shone throughout the 2025/26 season, showcasing to Dons fans the player he really is.
Let's do an analytical deep-dive into Liam Kelly and discuss the role he will play next season.
Tactical Profile
Deep-Lying Playmaker
Kelly is often described as a deep-lying playmaker, an advanced ball controller and a progression midfielder.
Hybrid Midfielder
In the 25/26 season he was not a 6, not a 10 either, but somewhere in between the lines.
Tempo Controller
He is heavily based on tempo control, supporting second-phase attacks and creating attacking overloads.
What Does Paul Warne Value In Liam Kelly?
Warne usually brings in midfielders who offer work rate, intensity, leadership and experience.
Kelly's promotion at Crawley allowed him to fit right into a well-experienced changing room featuring players like Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Curtis Nelson and many more.
“Kelly offers a hunger for forward-passing football which Warne often searches for in his style of play.”
Will Kelly Be A Constant Starter In 2026/27?
As of right now it's impossible to say, but judging by his stats from the 2025/26 season, Kelly is one of the most reliable midfielders in the Dons squad.
- Kelly fits the “solid and organised” type of player that Warne has looked for throughout his managerial career.
- However, a transitional transfer window would need to take place this summer to get MK Dons ready for Sky Bet League One.
- With Kelly's contract expiring this summer, Dons fans would love to see him stay.
- But with midfield talent like captain Alex Gilbey and Ben Wiles, how will Warne consistently use all three players in League One?
Final Thoughts
Liam Kelly's resurgence has mirrored MK Dons' revival. The question is no longer whether he is good enough — it's whether he can become one of the key midfielders in League One under Paul Warne.
2 comments
Excellent read.
I really hope he can kick on further in League One!
🤍🖤❤️💛
Interesting during pre-season Alex Gilbey is reported saying to Liam Kelly that they both needed to get really fit to figure in with Paul Warne’s plans and both achieved this, while becoming central to the Dons achieving promotion this season.