Door Open For Leon?
Tuesday, 8th Apr 2003 00:00

Door Could Open For Leon To Stay?

Home > Story Index >Could The Door Be Open For Leon To Stay?

We hear a whisper that West Ham are none too pleased that Leon is potentially coming back from a relatively serious injury as quick as he is. The exact rumour (and we stress it is a rumour) is that they have even contemplated terminating his contract if they feel that he is being rushed back into the action with the Swans fighting relegation from the Third Division.

But is termination of Leon's contract a bad thing from our point of view? For a start, it would mean the ability to pick up the midfielder on the cheap. The figure that was banded at me today was £12,000 - this I am guessing is his wages for the remaining term of his contract. How many players of Leon's calibre could you pick up for that sort of outlay?

I have to admit that as much as I would like to see Leon back in a Swans shirt I have had reservations about him playing in a mask. You do wonder whether the fact that it is there will make him shy away from 50/50 challenges? But then again if it causes his 'real' employers to decide that they no longer need his services then it could be a blessing in disguise.

Of course, we cannot sign any more players on a permanent basis but any move from West Ham could co-incide with a 'gentleman's agreement' from us that he signs in the close season?

It has been said before that Leon's future at West Ham probably hinges on their end of season run-in. Relegation will cost them several of their star players - Joe Cole and Michael Carrick being two and that would surely open the door of opportunity for Leon in the first team. Staying in the Premiership could see them hold onto the star players and it would seem, no place for Leon in the side.

How much truth there is in this rumour remains to be seen but it is certainly an interesting one and with the news that Leon is set to play in a practice match this week, maybe it is worth keeping half an eye on news coming out of Upton Park to see if anything develops.

Interesting times?

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