Former football agent Barry Silkman believes Arsenal lack ‘defenders who defend’ and should consider a move for Winston Reid.
With his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and no signs of an extension, the 26-year-old’s future at Upton Park is in doubt.
Sam Allardyce has resigned himself to losing the resolute centre-back and is considering the option of selling him this month rather than lose him on a free.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for the New Zealand international in recent weeks, and Arsene Wenger could turn to Reid after learning Mathieu Debuchy will be sidelined for three months with a dislocated shoulder.
And although Silkman reckons Wenger should make a move for Reid, he is unsure whether the Frenchman will as the defender doesn’t have the required qualities he is looking for:
‘He’s an excellent defender, he’s an excellent blocker of shots, but he is not a player who will come out of the back and play.
‘Arsenal have to start getting defenders who defend. It’s all well having defenders who can pass the ball but they have to be able to defend.’
Reid may not have the required technical ability that Wenger is looking for, but the centre-back would be a very good signing for the club nonetheless.
He’s strong in the tackle, already has Premier League experience in his locker and also very competitive in the air, and for a minimal fee – believed to be between £4-6 million – would represent a bargain and an astute signing for any club.
We do need a defender who just defends and just concentrates on that. It may go against Wenger’s philosophies when buying a player, but our defence has been our Achilles heel for many seasons now and perhaps it’s time the Frenchman considers changing this.
