Great that Smith’s signed-up, now how about Streete and co?
OVF editor Rob Fielding wonders if Vale should now try and tie Nathan Smith’s defensive partner Remie Streete to a new deal?
Rob Fielding writes…
The announcement that Nathan Smith had agreed a three-year contract was one of those rare good-news stories where there wasn’t a single negative to be seen. It is a move that clearly makes sense for all concerned. Nathan Smith gets job security and is obviously valued highly by the club. Port Vale get to tie-down one of its most saleable assets and if they do sell, they will be able to do so at a price and time that suits the club.
Central defensive partner Remie Streete has earned less plaudits but he has also had an outstanding start to this season…
I’ve long been arguing for key players to be given new contracts ahead of the end of the season. But many have noted that Smith hasn’t been the only stand-out performer this campaign. Central defensive partner Remie Streete has earned less plaudits but he has also had an outstanding start to this season. Considering that Streete is out of contract in the summer isn’t it worth also offering Streete a long-term deal?
It is perhaps easy to forget that Streete is just 21 and made just eighteen career appearances before this campaign. In those circumstances he has made tremendous progress this season and promises to have a very bright future ahead.
He may not be dominating the headlines in the same way as Smith is but he’s another Vale youngster who could be worth serious money if he was given a long-term contract. Like Smith, the time to strike is surely now – Streete has proved his worth but as of yet bigger clubs haven’t been reported to be interested in him – and Vale would be sensible to get his signature before interest from elsewhere may turn his head. I suspect that if Streete signed there would be a similar reaction to that of Smith signing-up – in other words, good positive PR and building a good news buzz around the club.
It would be great to have both promising centre-halves signed-up and in an ideal world it would be good to also secure the futures of Ben Purkiss, Anthony Grant and Sam Foley – although I suspect that as more senior, better known players they may want to wait till the summer and see what other offers arise before they commit.
However, it’s probably no harm to approach the trio with the offer of a new contract. You don’t know unless you ask…