According to the latest reports from Birmingham Mail, Crystal Palace have joined the race to sign Arsenal’s right back Carl Jenkinson. The defender still has one year left on his contract, and after the departure of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the Eagles are on the lookout for a right back. This should come as a blow to Celtic as they are also one of the clubs interested in the signature of this one time England international.
Championship outfit West Brom are also said to be in the mix for the forgotten right back. Crystal Palace joining the race for Jenkinson is a surprising one as they have got good money to play with after they sold Wan-Bissaka for £50m to Manchester United.
Why is Lennon interested in a right back?
Celtic have been after a right back for quite some time now. They currently have young Anthony Ralston, who has made just a handful of starts, as the only option for that position. As many as three right backs departed from the club this summer viz, Cristian Gamboa, Mikael Lustig and Jeremy Toljan.
Lustig was the mainstay in that position, but his performances were below par for the most parts, and that is why Celtic didn’t extend his contract. Toljan only joined on loan from Dortmund, and he too failed to impress at Parkhead.
Will Jenkinson be a good option?
The defender made eight appearances for Arsenal last season, and he has been lost in the wilderness at the Emirates for quite some time now. Often Arsenal fans are seen taunting that Jenkinson is stealing a living at the club. However, he is still just 27 and can go on to play a few more years of football.
When he broke onto the scene, the former Charlton man was touted heavily, and he even went on to represent England once under Roy Hodgson. One of the reasons why Jenkinson never managed to establish himself was his lack of attacking output. Modern-day fullbacks are expected to be more attacking in nature, and Jenkinson probably might have had better chances if he was playing football a decade or two ago.
He has got a reasonable work rate and can hold his own defensively. On the attacking front, he might struggle a bit to carry the ball from the back, but he can put in some good crosses from the right. We think that Lennon should consider Jenkinson as a backup option for the next season. However, Crystal Palace’s interest is definitely a blow as Hodgson is said to be an admirer of the player.
