David Artell should call Grimsby Town decision-makers into action when it comes to 24-year-old | OneFootball

The deep-lying playmaker has been a superb addition for the Mariners, and given his importance to the side, a contract extension should be considered

Central midfielder George McEachran has been a superb addition to the Grimsby Town ranks since his summer arrival. Integral to David Artell's side and their preferred style of play, the Mariners should be considering offering the former Chelsea youngster a long-term deal that would see him in a black and white shirt for many years to come.

24-year-old McEachran arrived at Blundell Park over the summer, signing a two-year deal following his release from fellow fourth-tier side Swindon Town. However, while the diminutive deep-lying playmaker has over 16 months left on that contract, his consistent performances, his importance to Artell's style of play, and his relative youth and potential to improve further should have the Mariners' hierarchy contemplating extending his stay further, protecting a valuable asset, and showing another statement of intent for the future.

He has been a hugely impressive engine room operator in North East Lincolnshire. Having come through the ranks at Stamford Bridge, McEachran, who was an unused substitute in Chelsea's 2018/19 Europa League Final success over Arsenal, oozes class and composure on the ball.

A part of England's Under-17's World Cup triumph in India eight years ago, his pedigree has shone through, seeing the ex-Robin form a strong midfield base with the likes of Evan Khouri and, more recently, Curtis Thompson.

While the midfielder, who has played a lot of minutes in comparison to others due to the Mariners' early season injury problems, had looked a little jaded at times in January, he's returned to his best of late, producing the sort of skillful performances that have quickly made him a fans' favourite at Blundell Park.

Grimsby Town have missed George McEachran on the rare occasions he's been unavailable

While McEachran has been involved in the majority of Grimsby games so far this season, his absence has been noticed on the few occasions he's missed out through injury or been left on the bench to ease his workload.

The Mariners have looked to play out from the back in the main and the former England youth international's willingness to receive the ball from his goalkeeper and defenders makes this far easier.

Rarely flustered when under pressure, McEachran is the link between the back line and the attack, and has formed a balanced base with the likes of Khouri and Thompson, the former a more box-to-box player, while the latter favours the role of disrupting opponents' attacking play, but neither are as comfortable receiving the ball under pressure

Therefore, McEachran's technical qualities are key in keeping things ticking over and getting the blend right.

Grimsby have recently added Faroese midfielder Géza Dávid Turi from Víkingur and he's a player who is thought to possess a similar skill set to McEachran that could see the pair form a double pivot in the future.

However, it's going to take some time for the 23-year-old to adapt to his teammates and English football in general. Learning those requirements from his colleague, should he extend his stay further, could see the pair form a formidable partnership for Artell's side.

George McEachran isn't the only Mariner who should be under contract consideration

The former Chelsea player isn't alone in standing out since joining Grimsby over the summer.

Central defender Cameron McJannet, who signed seven months ago from League of Ireland club Derry City, has looked equally impressive in a Mariners' shirt, and is just as important to how Artell's side operate.

The former Luton Town and Stoke City youngster penned a similar two-year deal upon his arrival, and while there's still over a year left to run, it could be in Grimsby's best interest to offer him a longer contract as soon as possible.

McJannet, who is best described as a ball-playing centre-back, is sure to have caught the eye of others with his measured displays, so tying him down for the foreseeable future would see the Mariners protected financially, should a rival swoop over the next few transfer windows.

In December, we focused on how left-back Denver Hume, whose deal expires in the summer, is the priority in terms of reaching a contractual agreement at this stage, but the likes of McJannet, Khouri, and the talented McEachran should be next on the list.