It’s not right that Tom Cleverley gets to lie around Everton doing nothing but being set aside for a man marking job of an opposing full back every month or so.
It’s not right that Marouane Fellaini gets chance after chance despite failing after failing at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
It’s not right that so many charlatans hang around the Premier League for as long as they like offering absolutely nothing to any team or any young person watching on but, whether they’re shit or they’re just petrified of making a mistake, they stay in that realm because they’re there and that’s it. They’re accepted as the pool of players to choose from and there’s no real getting out of it.
It’s not right that Robbie Brady has to listen to boos at Carrow Road on a Friday night whilst he looks on at the weekend from his arm chair at boys who can’t or won’t play football properly in the tier above him. It isn’t an attack on Norwich, they’re a good club harbouring two of Ireland’s best talents but, right now, they are operating at a level that’s way below what Brady is capable of.
You only need to look at what the 24-year-old has done for Ireland in the last year to realise his importance.
For most of the qualifying campaign, he was playing left back. He played there against Sweden and he was one of the best players.
He moved to midfield against Germany, out wide against Belgium and he played a more central role against Italy and he was brilliant every time.
He made history against the Azzurri too.
He played on the right of a 4-2-3-1 in Bosnia and set the country up for qualification with a cracking goal.
He deputised at the tip of the diamond in the absence of Wes Hoolahan.
Everywhere he played, he did it with style and panache and he did it with the skill and fearlessness that made him a natural leader of the team.
When it came to the end of the summer, everyone just assumed that he’d get a move. Norwich were relegated, Brady was a superstar and, frankly, some of the duds lying around the top flight made your wonder why none of the teams up there would be biting your arm off to take this versatile gem on board.
But weeks pass and transfer windows go and Brady seems no closer to the top.
He ploughs on and, on Friday night, just another typical contribution summed up what he can offer any team.
He set up the Canaries’ early equaliser against Huddersfield when he chased a ball to the corner and, first time, delivered a glorious, looping and curling cross over the head of two defenders and straight onto the run of Jonny Howson.
It was a super assist from a super player.
5' – Kachunga gives Huddersfield the lead.
6' – Howson levels for Norwich.What a start at Carrow Road! https://t.co/syDm2kM4uZ
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) December 16, 2016
It’s not stuff we’ll be watching in 10 years time but it was effortless. It was an example of what he does at his leisure.
Brady does a lot more than swing the ball in after a chase. He can control games now, he’s a threat to the goal and his set pieces are second to none. That’s just another reminder of what he can do if he gets half a sniff.
Still, nobody is taking a chance on him when, in reality, it wouldn’t even be a chance at all. It would be a surefire risk-free investment.
