OPINION
James Collins could still be at West Ham next season – and fans would go into meltdown if that is the case.
Sky Sports reported on their live transfer blog (Sunday, 11.06am) that the new manager will decide whether to offer the veteran centre-back a new deal.
Collins bid an emotional farewell to supporters following their final day 3-1 win over Everton last Sunday and was subsequently informed by the board that he was ‘unlikely’ get a new deal.
However, the decision on the 34-year-old will not be made by the Hammers hierarchy, but the man who will take charge of the team ahead of next season.
It has been widely reported that man will be Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City manager in advanced talks to return to the Premier League following a hugely lucrative spell in China.
Quite whether a battle-hardened defender in his mid-30s is Pellegrini’s cup of tea remains to be seen.
Collins is an immensely popular player with fans, who has watched the team in action from the stands this season and unabashedly bleeds claret and sky blue.
The 50-times Wales international has 10 years of Hammers service to his name, split into two spells, and has demonstrated qualities in that time that resonate with supporters who feel more distant from the players than ever before following the move to London Stadium.
Re-signing Collins would be a populist and, in light of his recent email from club chiefs, a stunning move that would provide some much-needed decent PR for a floundering and out-of-touch board.
West Ham could do far worse than handing the veteran a short-term, pay-as-you play deal that would not cost the earth.
