Why Wigan must make a move for Ethan Ebanks-Landell in January
Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell is set to leave the club when the transfer market reopens in January, claims the Birmingham Mail.
Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 25, a product of the Wolves academy, is surplus to requirements at Molineux and has not played a single game this season. The defender has been frozen out of the first-team picture by Nuno Espirito Santo and at 25, he surely needs to find a new club to start getting regular first-team football in order to fulfil his potential.
Keeping Ebanks-Landell’s situation in mind, Wigan Athletic must make a move for him in January.
Wigan Athletic have slipped down to 16th in the table, managing just one win in the last five Championship games. The Latics had recovered well after a bumpy start to the season but have once again lost their way. Their priority will be to achieve safety this season and for that, Paul Cook has to persuade the board to spend in January.
Cook’s squad has been decimated with injuries, resulting in poor form of late. The likes of Gavin Massey, Chey Dunkley and Antonee Robinson are all long-term casualties, leaving Cook in a very difficult situation to manage his threadbare squad.
Wigan have conceded 29 goals in 21 games, which is poor, and that stat needs to improve if Cook’s men are planning for life in the Championship beyond the current campaign. With Dunkley a long-term casualty and Dan Burn set to leave for Brighton next month, a central defender in the winter transfer window has to be Cook’s priority. That said, the Latics must consider making a move for Ethan Ebanks-Landell.
A no-nonsense, strong and a powerful defender, Ebanks-Landell’s main attributes are his physical strength and aerial prowess. Standing at 6ft 2in with a towering frame, he is exceptionally quick and agile for a player of his stature, something that allows him to play in multiple positions across the backline. His towering stature coupled with his strength and agility helps him get the better of his opponents.
The 25-year-old is a real asset to have for a team on both ends of the pitch. Ebanks-Landell rarely hesitates to jump into challenges or tackles, and also has a decent recovery pace that enables him to win back possession from the opposition.
Read more: Why Wigan must complete a loan deal for this out of favour Everton youngster – could work well
To put things into perspective, Ebanks-Landell would be a solid addition to Wigan’s squad. The Latics need fresh faces in January to boost their chances of securing safety in the Championship. And they can bag a massive coup by landing this defensive powerhouse in January.