Which Irish stars could do with a transfer this month? Who should stick? And who would be mad to even contemplate a move?
The January transfer window is upon us and much of the transfer talk will probably centre on whether or not Harry Redknapp will sign Peter Crouch for the 56th time. We’re focusing instead on Ireland’s players and who should go, who should stay and who shouldn’t even think about a transfer.
Players who need to move
1. Seamus Coleman
Speculation linking the Killybegs native with a big money move to Manchester United seem to be more than just transfer gossip. It appears Louis van Gaal is in the market for a player of Coleman’s attributes. The United manager seemingly doesn’t rate Rafael, the team’s first choice right-back over the past few seasons, and has favoured converted winger Antonio Valencia in the wing back role. The United manager even left Rafael out of the squad to face Liverpool, despite the Brazilian being fully fit, saying afterwards: ‘Rafael is not injured. Last week he was fit but I have to select (on merit)’.
Coleman seems the perfect fit for United. He’s the ideal age to move, possesses the required attacking prowess to play United’s wingback system and seems like a hard working, dedicated and modest person, qualities that will stand him well under Van Gaal’s leadership. A transfer fee of £20 million also appears to be great value for both clubs. Everton will make an incredible profit on the player they signed for £60,000 five years ago, giving them funds to rebuilt their creaky central defence. And United get a player at the peak of his powers for less than the price it cost to sign Marouane Fellaini.
Nine years ago United signed Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic in the January transfer window, Coleman could prove be United’s best bit of January business since the two Old Trafford legends.
2.Sean St. Ledger
The defender’s struggles to get a permanent club have been well documented in the past few months. Despite being an experienced Championship player, with 37 international caps and scoring at the European Championships, St Ledger is without a club as the January transfer window opens.
The 30 year old had signed a short-term deal with Championship high-flyers Ipswich Town in November, but was released last month without making a first-team appearance. St Ledger has been linked with a move to the MLS, but almost any move may be necessary this month if he is to ever feature for Ireland again. However, things don’t seem all bad for the defender.
— Sean St Ledger (@seanstledger12) January 1, 2015
3. Kevin Doyle
The Wexford striker is another who’s had a tough time in recent seasons and could desperately do with a move this month. Doyle is at Crystal Palace on loan from Wolves. However, the striker had made little impact at the Premier League side, making just four appearances and has yet to score.
Doyle’s parent club have spent most of the past year trying to get rid of the striker, regarding his wages too high for a non-Premier League club. If he can get a permanent transfer and first-team football it would be fantastic for Doyle, otherwise he could find himself out of Martin O’Neill’s plans in a crucial international year for Ireland.
4. Wes Hoolahan
Unlikely to happen, as the Dubliner signed a new deal last summer with Norwich City, but it would’ve been beneficial for the player, and the Irish team, if Hoolahan had completed a potential move to Aston Villa last year.
Hoolahan would’ve added a much needed creative spark to a pretty limp Villa midfield. Norwich are currently just outside the Championship play-off places, but, if a move to a Premier League side becomes an option during the window, it would be great for the 32 year old and could perhaps strengthen his claim for a starting place with Ireland.
5. Shay Given
The goalkeeper’s decision to come out international retirement last August seemed like a strange one. Given had walked away from the Irish team in 2012 and had played little football in the meantime. Having lost his first team place at Aston Villa, the goalkeeper spent a productive loan period with Championship side Middlesbrough last season and another similar move would be great for Given. However, considering the form of David Forde and the fact Given is almost 39, whether a move will be enough for him to regain the Ireland No.1 jersey remains to be seen.
6. Jack Grealish
The Aston Villa youngster is still undecided about where his international future lies. What’s in no doubt however is the winger is an exciting talent and has had little game time this season with the Premier League side. Grealish has yet to start for Villa, making seven substitute appearances and manager Paul Lambert has warned the Birmingham born player that ‘he’s still got a long way to go‘. A loan move to a Championship side would be a natural progression for Grealish, who spent last season with League One side Notts County.
7. Paul McShane
McShane has made just six appearances for the Premier League strugglers this season, and took to Twitter to air his frustration last month.
I could be here all night retweeting everyone but I’ve gotta get some sleep for U/21 training tomoz. Cheers for the love, keep the faith!
— Paul McShane (@pmacca15) December 19, 2014
However, his tweet didn’t go down well with Steve Bruce. The Hull manager said: ‘He’s been quite quick to reveal that he is in there and I hope he comes out and tells the reason why‘, and that unless McShane offered an apology, he would remain outside the first-team. With no apology forthcoming, so far, Hull’s longest serving defender looks set to be on the move this month.
8. Robbie Brady
Brady has had a mixed Premier League career so far. The Hull midfielder began last season in great form, but injury curtailed his progress. So far this season he’s made 11 appearances but has yet to get a regular series of games. A transfer move isn’t of immediate concern for the player, but, at this stage of his career and with healthy competition for wide players in the Ireland squad, the talented Brady could do with playing as much football as possible. His manager may also be inclined not to risk a flair player during Hull’s relegation fight. A loan deal until the summer could suit all parties.
Two who should wait until the summer
1. James McCarthy
The Everton player has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Manchester United in recent months and, while his manager has dismissed transfer talk, a move to a Champions League side appears inevitable for the midfielder. However, this month isn’t the right time for a transfer. McCarthy has struggled recently with niggling hamstring injuries and should concentrate on getting back playing regularly for Roberto Martinez’s side. The Glasgow born midfielder is good enough to play for a team in the world’s premier club competition, but should move from a position of strength, ideally this summer.
2. Daryl Murphy
Daryl Murphy is on fire this season, leading the Championship scoring charts with 17 goals as Ipswich Town chase promotion. With a number of Premier League sides in need of a goalscorer, a move for Murphy could potentially materialise this month. However, the striker would be wise to stick with Ipswich. Murphy’s current contract expires at the end of next season and appears to be on the verge of signing a new deal with Mick McCarthy’s side. If the Waterford man can continue his scoring streak, the summer would be the perfect time to access his options.
One who shouldn’t go anywhere
Robbie Keane
After scoring the winning goal in the MLS Cup final, soon after winning the league’s MVP award, Robbie Keane dropped a hint he could be on the move from the LA Galaxy, saying: ‘Sometimes change is good for everybody’.Whatever Keane decides to do, he should completely avoid going back to the Premier League. LA Galaxy may not be one of Keane’s numerous boyhood teams, but, of all the striker’s (many) transfers, there’s an argument to be made that his move to the MLS was the most beneficial.
In addition to the obvious perks of living in Los Angeles, Keane is already bonafide MLS legend and possibly the most successful designated signing in the league’s history. An impressive accolade considering the status of some players, such as Theirry Henry and David Beckham, that have graced the MLS.
The Ireland captain has ruled out a short-term loan move this month and rightly so. Keane would be mad, at this stage of his career, to leave the comforts of LA for the drudgery of a relegation battle with a team like QPR or Leicester City. One more shot at playing in England may be tempting, but don’t do it Robbie.
