Elder is worthy of a new Hull City contract
FANS AWAIT NEWS ON THE CLUB’S RETAINED LIST
WHEN it comes to talk of players leaving Hull City this summer, there are those who garner greater debate than others.
George Honeyman, Richie Smallwood, and Mallik Wilks are three, for example, who have generated plenty of discussion among Hull City fans and within the media.
Of the eight coming to the end of their contracts this summer, City perhaps have one of the most underrated performers in their squad yet to agree terms on an extension, or in the first instance, having their option year activated by the club.
And his name is Callum Elder. The Australian international has probably not had the most enjoyable campaign this season which is in part down to injuries, but in Elder, they have a capable defender and one who has plenty to offer at Championship level.
City are blessed by having Elder and Brandon Fleming to battle it out for a place in Shota Arveladze’s squad, and there’s little doubt that Fleming’s terrific form in the closing stages of the campaign was in part due to the fact he had Elder pushing for his place.
Fleming was exceptional, ever since being handed his full league debut by Arveladze in the very infancy of his MKM Stadium tenure, but Elder has been patient in the second half of the season and has rarely let his side down.
On occasion under Arveladze, Elder has even operated on the right side and proved a competent operator.
Arveladze’s squad needs some work, it needs quality adding to it but in Callum Elder, they have a player at a good age, strong on the ball, in the air, and from set-pieces, and more than capable of battling it out with Fleming for that left wing-back role.
There are plenty of areas within the squad, which need remedial work, however, down that side is not one of them.
The 27-year-old has notched up in excess of a century of appearances for City with 15 assists since his move from
Leicester City and has the potential to improve, particularly if he continues to be involved with the Australian set-up.
Left-sided players are notoriously difficult to come by, especially ones who can slot into the system and perform to a solid level week in and week out.
It’s highly likely that Fleming will go on and become Arveladze’s player of choice on that flank once next season gets underway in July, but keeping Elder under contract for at least the next 12 months would represent a smart piece of business.