5 Irish Players Who Should Still Look To Move Clubs This Summer

5 Irish Players Who Should Still Look To Move Clubs This Summer

Gary Connaughton By Gary Connaughton

The summer transfer window has already been a a very busy one for Irish players, with a number of start from this part of the world already on the move in recent weeks.

Nathan Collins, Gavin Bazunu, Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, Aaron Connolly, and Darragh Lenihan are just some of the names that have changed clubs since the end of the season.

However, we should not expect the list to end there.

A number of other Irish players could make moves in the weeks ahead. Some of them will be looking to take the next step in their careers, while others will be going out in search of more regular playing time.

Here are five names to keep an eye on.

Jason Knight - Derby County

Jason Knight before the UEFA Nations League B group 1 match between Ukraine and Republic of Ireland at LKS Stadium in Lodz, Poland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

It was seen as all but a given that Jason Knight would be on his way out of Derby County this summer.

Having starred in the Championship over the last couple of seasons, dropping down into League One at this stage of his career would have been a bit of a disaster. Not only that, but he was also linked with Premier League clubs such as Wolves, Newcastle United, Leeds United, and Everton over the last year or so.

However, as we enter the final weeks of July, there has been little movement so far. In fact, there have even been some rumours that he Knight was about to sign a new deal with Derby.

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That would certainly be a mistake. This seems like the ideal time for the midfielder to take the next step in his career, ideally to the Premier League. He has also been linked with a move to Germany and it would be a massive shock were he still to be at Pride Park come the end of the summer.

Conor Coventry - West Ham United

Conor Coventry of Republic of Ireland reacts after his side's defeat in the UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifying group F match against Italy. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Conor Coventry is currently back at West Ham for pre-season, although his future at the club remains uncertain. It seems unlikely he would receive much playing time at the London Stadium during the upcoming season, and at 22-years old, he needs to be playing every week at this stage of his career.

The midfielder struggled while on loan at Peterborough in the first half of last season, but his fortunes improved after a switch to MK Dons in January. Another temporary switch seems likely at this point, although a permanent move should also be considered if the right offer comes along.

With only 12 months remaining on his current contract, West Ham may be open to selling. Coventry need only look at the progress made by former teammate Josh Cullen to see how a career can take off after making a brave move to a new club.

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Troy Parrott - Tottenham Hotspur

Troy Parrott celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Scotland. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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Troy Parrott may have raised a few eyebrows on Tottenham's trip to Asia, but is seems unlikely that he will be in Antonio Conte's plans for the upcoming campaign. The Italian has added Richarlison to an already stacked front line, while more signings could well follow.

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It is highly likely that we see Parrott go out on loan once again for the upcoming campaign. Having displayed some very promising form at MK Dons in the second half of last season, a move to the Championship would make sense. The likes of Sunderland, QPR, and Preston have all been linked in recent weeks.

Since the turn of the year, the Dubliner has served a timely reminder of why he was such a highly rated prospect during his teenage years. Having experienced a major change in mindset in recent times, it will be exciting to see how he copes with his next loan move at a more competitive level.

Chiedozie Ogbene - Rotherham United

Chiedozie Ogbene during a Republic of Ireland training session at LKS Stadium in Lodz, Poland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Those of us who watched Chiedozie Ogbene star for Ireland over the last 12 months or so would have known that he is far too talented to play in League One, meaning Rotherham United had to gain promotion to have any chance of hanging onto his this summer.

They did that, but it has not put to bed the rumours surrounding his future. With only a year left on his current contract, talks around a new deal seem to have hit an impasse. On Ogbene's behalf, he recently hinted that he was open to moving elsewhere.

Swansea City are the club that have been most strongly linked, with a quick browse on Twitter giving you the impression that their fans are keen to see the winger make the move to Wales.

Such a transfer would give Ogbene the opportunity to compete higher up the division, with Swansea likely to be in and around the play-off chase this season. He would also link up with Ireland teammates Ryan Manning and Michael Obafemi.

It is a move that certainly makes sense for him and one he should pursue.

Mipo Odubeko - West Ham United

Mipo Odubeko celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA European U21 Championship qualifying match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

As has been the case for a number of other Irish players, Mipo Odubeko struggled somewhat during his first proper season in senior football.

He moved to Huddersfield Town last summer only for their unlikely promotion push to result in less playing time, switching to League One side Doncaster Rovers in January. Playing time was a bit easier to come by in League One, although he would only manage a couple of goals in 16 appearances.

In saying that, he did improve as the campaign went on. He will now be on the hunt for another loan move, something that would certainly benefit him.

We saw last month the talent he possesses, with his performance for the Ireland U21 side in the win over Bosnia & Herzegovina was massively impressive. Speaking after that game, he said his struggles during those loan spells will only benefit him moving forward.

You have to get different experiences. You have to be open to different experiences, because they help you to grow, whether they are good or bad.

I’ve had a tough couple of experiences over the last 12 months. But they are experiences that have helped me grow and I think I have managed to grow very quickly.

I feel like I’m not the same kid I was a year ago, and I am very happy about that. I’m just looking forward to the future.

He is a very talented player and one that could have a big impact at international level if he keeps progressing, starting with next season.

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