Leeds United survived a relegation scare last season as they managed to stay in the Premier League after finishing in 17th place. The Elland Road club has been involved in some serious business this summer as Jesse Marsch is now looking at Burnley’s center-half, Nathan Collins.
Collins could be a difficult signing for Leeds. After losing Ben Mee and James Tarkowski, Burnley’s new manager, Vincent Kompany, is thought to want to build his defence around the star. Nathan Collins is highly regarded by Burnley, and his fee might exceed a club-record £15 million if add-ons are included. The defender, like the rest of Burnley’s squad, will be subject to a relegation clause in his contract. Collins’ price will almost certainly be reduced as a result of this. The Irish defender hit the headlines last season as he had to step up following Ben Mee’s injury.
A new star in the making?
The youngster was imperious in the heart of the Clarets’ backline during his 19 Premier League appearances in 2021/22, helping his side keep five clean sheets while also making 2.59 blocks, 1.9 tackles, and 5.5 clearances, and winning 4.47 aerial duels per the 90s. The 6ft 4in defender also has impressive stats while going forward. He averages around 2.05 touches in the opposition penalty box, placing him in the 99th percentile among Europe’s top 5 league players. According to Fbref, Collins ranks in the top 97% among Europe’s top 5 leagues in xA and 85% in shot-creating actions for a center-back.
Author’s opinion
Nathan Collins is a complete package. He is physically strong and tall, has a decent amount of Premier League experience and can also effectively partake in going forward. It’s of no surprise that Leeds United and several other clubs are going after him. However, Jesse Marsch already has as many as four center-backs at his disposal. It is no news that Leeds United had one of the most abysmal defensive performances last season, so naturally lining up a move for such a highly rated Premier League center-half is not really a big surprise. However, some more reinforcements in midfield, the final third, and possibly another full-back and goalkeeper should be prioritized.
