We are about enter the silliest of seasons when rumours, whispers and agents reign supreme over the football world. In that spirit, we’ve taken a tiny bit of time to outline just where some of our finest stars should consider plying their trade come August. It’s important to note that in keeping with the finest traditions of the incoming window, there’s very little evidence that any of this will happen.
Seamus Coleman Everton - Man United
There’s little doubt we are reaching the ceiling of what Seamus Coleman can achieve at Everton. Roberto Martinez suffered his usual second season dip at Goodison Park and being realistic Coleman will not see Champions League football under the Spaniard. Antonio Valencia remains a good footballer when he can run quickly, barge off of someone and hammer a ‘cross’ off of a defender. Where the Ecuadorian struggles is when he is asked to do anything else. Coleman would further himself professionally and United would get an ace right-back. Win – win.
James McCarthy Everton - Liverpool
Not a snowball’s chance in hell of happening though we are not the first to suggest it. McCarthy will suffer the same fate of Coleman at Everton in that he is established at a good club that plays progressive football but should he want to join the upper echelon of players he needs to join a bigger club and there’s one just over the road from him with a manager schooled in the same Swansea style as his current manager. They also have a vacancy in central midfield……
Daryl Murphy – The Premiership
27 goals in the Championship is not to be sniffed at. Murphy has had the season of his life at Ipswich with just one of his goals coming from the penalty spot but at 32 and with a possible European Championships coming up you feel it’s now or never for the likeable Waterford native. Ipswich going up is the ideal scenario but if they don’t, Murphy should consider one of three clubs that do.
David Forde - Somewhere that's not League 1
Shay Given is enjoying an unexpected resurgence at the end of his career and Kieran Westwood is the best keeper in the Championship. That means that Milwall's relegation is not as big a deal for Ireland as it may have been last year. David Forde is a good keeper though and at this stage of his career, should be going up, not down.
Given is not going to be around forever and even if Forde is not a long term solution, he's still one of the best we have. It'd be great to see him back in the Championship at the very least.
Richard Dunne – Qatar
There is not a soul more deserving of the money and soon to be artificial clouds of Qatar than Richard Dunne. Having suffered the general calamity that was QPR this season, Dunne should be left in peace to roll about in cash and casually dismiss fourth rate strikers.
James McClean – Anywhere but MLS
Frankly he’s just too good for it. We are all hopeful that America continues to embrace football and continues to develop the MLS but anyone who’s tuned into Sky Sports’ coverage of it can’t help but feel the general standard could be charitably described as lacking.
Aiden McGeady – Bournemouth
Our despicable anti-Everton agenda continues with the suggestion that the man who Ireland often turn for something different should consider becoming a big fish in a smaller pond. McGeady’s natural instincts seem stilted at Everton and him becoming the focal point for a promoted side could be exactly what he needs to rediscover the form that saw him be the man everyone groaned at the AVIVA because he was trying to dribble.
Richie Sadlier RTE to Balls.ie
They don’t appreciate you Richie, your rational arguments hold no sway with the showbiz merchants of Montrose. We can offer you all the tea you want and will school you in the ways of Father Ted.
Damien Duff – LOI
It doesn’t matter where Duffer ends up just as long as he graces our native league for a season. It will cement his status as being one of the most likeable Ireland players ever and will give the league the type of boost that’s always welcome. It may also start a trend where Irish greats finish up in the LOI.
Mick McCarthy – The Premiership
See Murphy, Daryl. Ipswich lost the play-0ff final and the Football League show has been cancelled. This man needs to be a constant fixture in our lives and needs the Sky Sports News cameras on him.
Jack Grealish – Ireland
One that has undoubtedly slipped under your radar, Grealish of course, should make the decision that seems natural to him and frankly we all know he’s got a much better chance of going to tournaments with England than Ireland. But Wes Hoolahan is retiring soon and Eamon Dunphy needs a new love to champion.
Images: SPORTSFILE
