According to reports, Merseyside club Everton are among the sides interested in signing West Ham United’s centre-half James Collins before the summer ends. The Welshman is 34-year-old and has entered the last year of his contract and despite the reports, he is quite different to what Ronald Koeman wants right now.
The Dutch boss has primarily gone for fresh legs in his second transfer window with the Toffees and apart from Wayne Rooney, who is definitely an exception for a replacement of Romelu Lukaku, none of the players Koeman brought in is aged above 25.
The arrival of Michael Keane and Jordan Pickford from Burnley and Sunderland respectively in the defence clearly states that Everton’s aggressive recruitment was more of a one season thing where they wanted to plug all the voids with a long-term solution. The likes of Phil Jagielka and Gareth Barry are expected to see little time on the field next season, and Collins’ shouldn’t expect anything different.
Though a one-year contract could make much sense given his immense experience at the top level and Everton’s expected hectic campaign owing to their Europa League commitments. The injuries to Ramiro Funes Mori and Seamus Coleman, who aren’t expected to play any big part in the first half of next season, will have to be filled with potential replacements.
An academy product of Cardiff City, the Newport-born player broke into the then second division club as the 19-year-old. He played a crucial role in helping them gain promotion to the first division and Championship in consecutive years. And his productive performances caught the eyes of the Hammers who brought him in 2005.
However, the Wales international found it difficult to break into their first team managing just over 50 appearances in five seasons, following which the Irons sold him to Aston Villa. He was a success at Villa Park making over 100 appearances in three seasons and after three fruitful seasons, he moved back to Upton Park when Villa got relegated.
He has been a regular for them since then and Slaven Bilic’s most trusted general. After returning from his hamstring injury last season, he looked quite solid alongside Jose Fonte as Angelo Ogbonna was sidelined with an injury. The Hammers have had quite an upgrade in their attack this summer and Bilic would want his most experienced man to guard the backline.
According to reports, Bilic will let him go only if a deal doesn’t come to an agreement. While Collins is more than likely to end his career with the Hammers, his long career remains trophy less and a move to Everton could change that bit.
