Michael Appleton is considering launching a bid for Colchester left-back Cohen Bramall before this weekend’s transfer deadline, according to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer and it is believed the U’s would rather take a fee for him now than risk him moving for free in July. That does fit in with Jez George’s comments about possibly bringing some of our business forward, although we’re not the only side hunting the defender. Earlier in the window, Championship outfit Reading were also linked with a swoop, which as yet has not materialised.
Bramall made headlines back in 2017 when, after spells with Kidsgrove, Market Drayton and Hednesford, he was snatched up by Premier League giants Arsenal for a fee thought to be around £40,000. Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace were both monitoring his progress, but he joined the Gunners and linked up with their Under 23 squad.
He spent two-and-a-half years with Arsenal, but he failed to make a senior appearance for them. He did spend time on loan at Birmingham City, where he played five times in the Championship before returning to the Emirates. Bramall blasted the club when he left after his contract ran out, claiming many of their young players would take the same route in search of regular senior football.
He signed for Colchester at the beginning of the 2019/20 season and has gone on to make 46 League Two starts across last season and this campaign. In total he has made 56 outings, all of them starts, with two goals to his credit.
Bramall hitting the cross for the Us v Scunthorpe
Bramall is very much a dedicated left-back, although he has appeared on the odd occasion and left centre back for the Us. He certainly gets up and down the line efficiently, registering three assists this season, including one to earn his side a win at Glanford Park at the start of December. In the last three Colchester fixtures, Crewe-born Bramall has delivered 18 crosses, with 57% of those finding their target in the club’s 3-0 defeat at Morecambe.
I can see a little of Harry Toffolo in terms of style of play. Despite having come up through the non-league system, Bramall has those years at Arsenal under his belt which helped fine-tune his approach and ability. I did have to look into Bramall back in my Football League World days and having now seen a few Wyscout clips, I’m convinced he would be a good addition to the squad, although it might not spell great news for Max Melbourne, who is similar again.
There is little doubt Colchester would love to keep Bramall if they could, but he clearly wants to progress and therefore a sale, on the cheap, is better than him walking away for nothing. Personally, I don’t think we’re crying out for a left-back this season, but I do think in the long term we could do with a dedicated full-back, rather than Tayo Edun who I think is more effective in midfield (which is mad, considering how good he’s been recently). There is certainly something to this rumour in my opinion, and whilst Football Insider wouldn’t be at the top of my ‘reputable’ list, Pete O’Rourke has tweeted it out, which certainly adds validity.
It could be an interesting weekend, in more ways than one.