OPINION
West Ham must urgently change their minds and offer defender James Collins a new contract to stay at the club.
The 34-year-old’s current contract is set to expire at the end of June and as of yet, the club haven’t tied him down to a new deal to ensure that he is at the London Stadium next season.
Claret & Hugh previously reported in April that Collins was looking certain to leave and that scenario doesn’t appear to be one that has changed in the month that has passed since.
The 6ft 1in tall enforcer only managed 16 appearances in the recently concluded season across all competitions, and didn’t put in as many stellar performances that his side had come to expect from him.
Collins found himself more often on the sidelines than on the pitch last season, mainly due to injuries, but that doesn’t mean the club should let him go.
After being the Hammers since 2012, the defender has become one of the player who embodies everything the club should be about, as he’s always passionate and willing to put his body on the line.
While the experienced defender would not be a guaranteed starter at the club if he were to stay, his experience on the bench and his character would be a great help to the club having a positive atmosphere surrounding it.
If the club needed anymore encouragement about why they need to perform a U-turn on their previously reported stance on keeping the enforcer, one of his Instagram posts gives them all the motivation should need.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Biw6oEYlI7M/?taken-by=gingercollins19
Despite looking likely to be gone, as no contract news has emerged about the defender, Collins is still pledging himself to the Hammers’ cause in order for them to keep him around.
While he may not be the same useful first-team presence he was in the 217 games he has previously featured in for the club, it’s clear the Hammers need to keep Collins where he is as he offers something priceless.
