Chris Forrester's systematic and meteoric rise up the football ranks could be set to continue following his display at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The 24-year-old former St. Pats star shone through Peterborough's 4-1 defeat at Chelsea. It was The Posh captain's weighted pass which sent put John Terry in a world of trouble as the Chelsea skipper saw red, and his general play in midfield was extremely composed despite the level of opposition he faced.
Forrester's form has been lauded during a run in which Peterborough lost just once in 13 fixtures prior to their trip to The Bridge, and unsurprisingly, he was the subject of significant attention in the stands on Sunday.
In a feature interview with Forrester, Miguel Delaney wrote in the Sunday Independent that Premier League West Brom were among the clubs who had a scout watching the promising Irish midfielder in London, with Norwich also watching on keenly.
A move to either club would see Forrester potentially line out alongside Ireland teammates in James McClean and Wes Hoolahan respectively (Robbie Brady, it would seem, won't be at Norwich by February).
Add to the scenario another club with various Irish connections in Reading, who according to the Reading Chronicle, have made Forrester their transfer priority in the January window. With Jaap Stam's outfit currently occupying third place in the Championship, a prospective move to the Madejski for the former League of Ireland star would see him dropped into a battle for promotion to the Premier League.
In an interview with Kevin Palmer of the Irish Independent yesterday, Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony admitted he wouldn't stand in the way of a move for his club's talisman and captain, but claimed Forrester wouldn't be departing the ABAX Stadium on the cheap:
Chris Forrester is the best midfielder by a mile in League One and plenty of big clubs are after him right now.
If you saw Chris playing against Scunthorpe earlier this month, you would appreciate what a talent he is. Against a team that was sitting at the top of League One, he basically ran the show from midfield on his own.
Chris will go on and be sold for millions and millions and good luck to him if that happens because he has come to England, worked his socks off and turned himself into a top player.
MacAnthony likened Forrester's potential transition from League One to higher levels to that of Delle Ali, and claimed that Martin O'Neill had already sent scouts to watch the 24-year-old play for Peterborough.
Forrester joined Peterborough for £20,000 in 2015, with the Dubliner originally signing a deal which saw him earn the same wage as he did at St. Pats, such was the state of Peterborough's wage bill. His thought process was simple; play well, prove himself, and earn a better contract.
Should he move on this month, it will likely strike as a good piece of business for all involved.
