I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I’m convinced there’s little in the speculation. Firstly, it conforms to the rule of three – where there are three clubs linked, it is often a sign of a planted story, looking to drum up a bit of interest in the player. However, that’s not the sole reason I can’t see it happening.
The Imps have been linked with a move for Theo Vassell. Who is Theo Vassell? He’s a 27-year-old central defender who came through the youth ranks at Stoke. His senior career has been spent in League Two and the National League, with stints at Gateshead, Port Vale, Wrexham and Mansfield. He made his Port Vale debut as we beat them 4-0 in the League Cup in 2018, and then played the whole 90 minutes as we won 6-2 there a few months later.
In an effort to demonstrate his fitness, he signed a short-term contract with Salford City in November 2021 after his time at Wrexham expired before to their promotion to the Football League. Since then, he has made 115 appearances for them; 32 of those came this season as they fought to avoid dropping out of League Two. This summer is the end of his contract with Salford, but he has been offered a deal to stay in the northwest. The report indicates that we, along with Notts County and Mansfield, are in for him in addition to his current job.
I have some doubts about this because of several factors. He is primarily a right-sided center-back, to start. Perhaps there will be room if we stick with three at the back, but with Adam
Unless we’re trying to bolster the squad, I don’t see us entering the market for a 27-year-old who hasn’t performed well in the division below either. We’re attempting to assemble a team that can win promotion from League One, and although I’m not quite sure how Vassell has performed this year, I don’t think a player who has reached the age of 27 without playing in League One fits the mold. Although none of the three (Ali Smith, Charles Vernam, and Paudie O’Connor) were 27 when they signed, they were all from the level below. It simply doesn’t seem like a decision we would make. While I’m not saying he’s not talented enough, a top six team is not likely to sign a 27-year-old.
I had questioned whether I was missing anything in terms of stats, but it doesn’t seem like it. Compared to O’Connor, Jackson, and Mitchell, he has less aerial duels per ninety, and fewer interceptions. His long passes per ninety totals are lower than those of Roughan, Mitchell, and O’Connor, and he has fewer passes per ninety than all five of our regular center backs this season (including TJ). His accuracy is within 1% of the other three and lower than O’Connor’s.
Theo Vassell is undoubtedly a capable defender. While I’m not criticizing him in the slightest, the data does not indicate that he is superior to what we now have or have had, nor does it indicate that he fits the profile we’re seeking. But keep in mind that
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