Rather than trying to sign Matthew Pennington from Everton permanently should Leeds United consider out-of-favour West Ham defender James Collins?
It looks as if James Collins’ ten-year stay at West Ham United across two separate spells is finally coming to an end this summer, with the Daily Star reporting the defender will be released.
Collins is out of contract in June and will not be offered a new deal as Hammers manager David Moyes looks to improve his team’s leaky back line.
What next?
The veteran centre-back will be 35-years-old in August and may not be cut out for the Premier League anymore, but could arguably still do a fine job in the Championship.
That is why Leeds United should perhaps take a closer look at Collins as once again a push for promotion back to the top flight of English football has proven a step too far for them this season.
Defence has been an issue for the Whites this term with no other side in the top half having conceded as many as their 62 goals – which also helps make them the only team out of the 12 with a negative goal difference.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom is clearly looking to address that and according to the Yorkshire Evening Post is considering a permanent move for Matthew Pennington; who has spent this campaign on loan at Elland Road from Everton.
However, admittedly partly due to injuries, Pennington hasn’t truly impressed during his time at Leeds and while it would only be a short-term fix, arguably the experience of someone like Collins is more what Heckingbottom needs to make a serious promotion bid in 2018/19.
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