With most of the transfer talk being centred around other areas of the pitch, the recent rumours linking us with centre-back Dejan Lovren of Liverpool, begs the question. Do we need one?
Currently on the first team books are the highly reliable Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins. Just behind them are January signing Doneil Henry, who looked very impressive in the few games he had on-loan at Blackburn in the Championship, before in injury finished his season. There is also teenager Reece Burke, who was given a few games at the end of the season, which he dealt pretty well with.
Wonderful things are being said about England U17 captain and prospect Reece Oxford, who made the bench on a couple of occasions last season under Allardyce. Would we want to stifle his and Burke’s progress by signing someone else to block their path, when we learned that Cheikhou Kouyate is more than able to deputise in an injury crisis?
Personally, although it is not a major priority, if there was to be a top drawer defender that becomes available for a reasonable fee, that could seriously improve our defence, then I would like to see it happen.
I’m very happy with Reid and Tomkins and whilst ‘Ginge’, James Collins is capable of monumental displays, I feel that this could be one year too long for him at this level. I’m definitely not saying that we need to get rid of him, I’m just saying that we need to keep a close eye on his form.
Henry has already shown good potential but I think a good pre-season and another loan move to the Championship for a few months would be the best thing for him right now and the same can be said for young Burke.
Having watched a little of Oxford in the U21, he looks an excellent prospect but he isn’t even 17 until December, so he cannot seriously be considered to be a first team option at this moment in time. Players of that age can progress very quickly though and we may see him in the side towards the end of the season if the situation allows it.
So for me I would be very pleased to see someone like Lovren joining for a cut-price fee. He was exceptional at Southampton before his move to Liverpool and is young enough to regain that form again.
With Bilic being a fellow Croatian and a former centre-back himself, Upton Park could become a comfortable new home for Lovren.
