SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Nathan Collins of Stoke City passes the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City at Hillsborough Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Sheffield, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
According to Lancashire Live, Burnley are weighing up a move for teenage Stoke City defender Nathan Collins as Sean Dyche bids to strengthen his squad before the January deadline.
Premier League rivals Arsenal have also been linked with the 19-year-old, who has been among the standout performers for the Potters this season. Collins, who is rated at £10million by Stoke City, also attracted interest from Man United earlier in his career. (h/t Lancashire Live)
Nathan Collins started his development at Cherry Orchard in Ireland before being snapped up by Stoke City in 2016. After impressing for the club’s U-23 side, the centre-back made his first-team debut in the Championship against Swansea City during the 2018-19 season.
The teenager managed only three appearances in his debut campaign but went on to establish himself in a more prominent role last term. He featured 17 times in all competitions. Collins has gone from strength to strength to nail down a regular spot at the back this season.
The 19-year-old has started 16 out of a possible 26 Championship fixtures for the Potters so far this term while featuring as a substitute on three occasions. Collins has contributed with 2 goals and an assist, featuring both as a centre-back and a right-back.
James Tarkowski’s long-term future at Turf Moor remains up in the air. His contract is due to expire in 2022 and he has so far not put pen to paper on fresh terms.
With Kevin Long and Jimmy Dunne both out of contract in the summer and Ben Mee, 31, also into the last 18 months of his existing deal, Burnley need to start considering some younger alternatives in the market.
Dyche also has a few pressing concerns in the right-back department, with Matthew Lowton (31) and Phil Bardsley (35) both set to become free agents at the end of the season. With so many ageing legs at the back, it goes without saying that the Clarets need to freshen things up with an eye on the future.
Nathan Collins fits the bill as a promising young centre-back with potential. The Republic of Ireland U-21 international has mastered the art of playing week in week out in the Championship and looks to have all the necessary attributes to make a gradual transition to the top-flight.
The 19-year-old might not be the finished article capable of walking straight into Burnley’s starting XI but he represents a long-term option for sure. Collins still has plenty of room for development.
Burnely have an excellent track record when it comes to getting the best out of young homegrown talents. The rise of Dwight McNeil and Josh Brownhill at Turf Moor in recent seasons should be enough to substantiate those claims.
Nathan Collins looks like an exciting youngster in a similar mould and one who would improve their backline in the future.