Potentially eligible players thread

[liamoo11]

Egan-Riley has done very well since going to Hibs. Too early to know whether he'll be senior international quality in future but he'd be a great addition to our Under 21 team in this coming campaign if we could get him in. He's a physical player more than a technical one, maybe surprising that Kompany brought him to Burnley. He'll be back out on loan again next season I'd say.

Louie Barry is probably ours if we want him at this point, but he seems to be falling away into obscurity unfortunately. I don't think he'd make our Under 21 team even.

Tom Cannon is currently outshining Delap at Preston.

All fair points. For me its not all about only bringing lads in if they are better than what we have. I just.love the idea of lads getting a chance to play for their country and.maybe just maybe their country giving them.the chance to kick on a bit in their career. I only saw louie Barry play 3 times for us underage but he worked like a horse on a terrible pitch in rough weather and really looked like it meant something to him even if he was only doing it at the time for his grandparents. I'd love to think ifish involvement might give him a lift even if he never got near our senior side. Similarly for Egan Riley.

I never thought we missed out on a future star in Delap he always seemed to me to be overly reliant on physicality in city s academy but I love how his grandfather would surely be so proud to see him follow in Rorys footsteps and pull on a green Jersey even if he never moved up to senior level.

Cirkin to me is a lad who I wouldn't like to see get a call up. He hasn't shown any interest in us up to know and seems to have no significant connection with ireland . Similar to obafemi he was born here and lived here a very short while but unlike obafemi he didn't put himself forward for us when he could have at 16s and 17s.

[JR89]

Similar to obafemi he was born here and lived here a very short while but unlike obafemi he didn't put himself forward for us when he could have at 16s and 17s.

Unlike Obafemi he was deemed good enough to play underage with England. You think Obafemi would have even thought about Ireland if he was playing for Englands underage. Plus Obafemi didn't join up until the 19s.

[liamoo11]

Unlike Obafemi he was deemed good enough to play underage with England. You think Obafemi would have even thought about Ireland if he was playing for Englands underage. Plus Obafemi didn't join up until the 19s.

Obafemi played In the Premier league at 17 of course he was good enough to be involved with England Under 19s either that season or the following season. Cirkin never played in the Premier league for spurs

[elatedscum]

Unlike Obafemi he was deemed good enough to play underage with England. You think Obafemi would have even thought about Ireland if he was playing for Englands underage. Plus Obafemi didn't join up until the 19s.

obafemi played 17s and 18s. wikipedia says he didn't but it's wrong.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/words-michael-obafemi-irish-roots-27213999

“I played all the way, well, not all the way but from U17s upwards. I didn't (see) the need to change. This is where I was born and where I should stay.”

transfermarkt has him down playing 18s and i have a memory of him in a squad with Glen McAuley early in the 17/18 season, before he was called up to the 19s the following month.

[tetsujin1979]

obafemi played 17s and 18s. wikipedia says he didn't but it's wrong.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/words-michael-obafemi-irish-roots-27213999

“I played all the way, well, not all the way but from U17s upwards. I didn't (see) the need to change. This is where I was born and where I should stay.”

transfermarkt has him down playing 18s and i have a memory of him in a squad with Glen McAuley early in the 17/18 season, before he was called up to the 19s the following month.
Planned for the U18s in 2018
https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/crawford-names-u18-squad-for-slovakia-cup

[JR89]

obafemi played 17s and 18s. wikipedia says he didn't but it's wrong.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/words-michael-obafemi-irish-roots-27213999

“I played all the way, well, not all the way but from U17s upwards. I didn't (see) the need to change. This is where I was born and where I should stay.”

transfermarkt has him down playing 18s and i have a memory of him in a squad with Glen McAuley early in the 17/18 season, before he was called up to the 19s the following month.

I was going off transfermarkt, but they didn't have any game for the U18s listed and thought it was just a training camp.

[paul_oshea]

Yeah, welcome him in, but (hypothetically) if Kenny is chasing after crap players, that might say something too.

What exactly are you getting at here?

[pineapple stu]

I don't really agree with this -

I just don't see the uproar about welcoming anyone into the fold. If he starts and he's poor, OK, let's deliver criticism then and debate whether he should be involved. But bringing him in, taking a look at him, and giving ourselves another option -- it makes no sense to me that anybody would be upset about this.
I mean, first off, there's no uproar and no-one's upset; I'm not sure where that came from.

So yeah, let's see how he does - but it's a discussion forum. Let's talk about the guy rather than the dismissive "Why don't we see".

My initial reaction was to be a bit underwhelmed tbh. I know Poor Student is quite knowledgeably about Celtic and his post wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement. Johnston is 24 next month, playing at a non-top-three side in Portugal (Pádraig Amond did that too, albeit he never started a league game) and despite being in the Scotland underage setup he's not been called up for the senior side so far as I'm aware. Are we tapping up Scotland cast-offs? That's not great.

The last player who "signed" was I think CJ Hamilton last year. That hasn't really gone anywhere. I just wonder are we we throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks? Is our scouting all that effective? Or maybe this is all we can get. I don't know of course.

And obviously I'm not about to boo him if comes off the bench or anything like that.

[Razors left peg]

I think in fairness there's not as much of an emphasis on going after dual players for the seniors as there was in the past, England have done a better job of giving 1 or 2 caps to Premiership level qualified players so we are kinda left with the CJ Hamiltons of the world instead of being able to get a James Madison.

We do still go after players but early and for the vast majority they stay with us. Smallbone, Hodge, Coventry, Obafemi etc. We've also done a good job of keeping dual players who could play for an African country up to this point. I'm sure there'll come a day when someone born in Ireland will play for Nigeria or something and he'll be a big loss.

My point is that my reaction to Johnson was meh, but he was an exciting player at Celtic before he had major injuries so we'll see, but the days of getting a team like Jack did are long gone, our scouting and recruiting are done at much younger age

[SkStu]

For me, it just gives us another interesting and high potential player to watch out for who could make a difference for us if he reaches the potential that a lot saw in him a few years ago. Hard to argue he deserves a call up and cap already.

Worrying enough that Kenny’s comments seem to suggest he sees him playing a large role in the upcoming campaign. His argument was he’s a player with qualities we don’t have but need. I’m not sold if he’s sticking with a 3-5-2. Maybe a bench option.

[Olé Olé]

I don't really agree with this -

I mean, first off, there's no uproar and no-one's upset; I'm not sure where that came from.

So yeah, let's see how he does - but it's a discussion forum. Let's talk about the guy rather than the dismissive "Why don't we see".

My initial reaction was to be a bit underwhelmed tbh. I know Poor Student is quite knowledgeably about Celtic and his post wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement. Johnston is 24 next month, playing at a non-top-three side in Portugal (Pádraig Amond did that too, albeit he never started a league game) and despite being in the Scotland underage setup he's not been called up for the senior side so far as I'm aware. Are we tapping up Scotland cast-offs? That's not great.

The last player who "signed" was I think CJ Hamilton last year. That hasn't really gone anywhere. I just wonder are we we throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks? Is our scouting all that effective? Or maybe this is all we can get. I don't know of course.

And obviously I'm not about to boo him if comes off the bench or anything like that.
Apples and oranges bringing Hamilton into this. For one, he spent plenty of his youth in Ireland. For another, he has never featured for England. And there is chance that he always harboured the Ireland ambition - it was his run up the leagues to, eventually, the Championship that got him the attention for a call up. Would look at him more like Daryl Horgan than Mikey Johnston.

[pineapple stu]

Well that's true - I suppose that comparison Congress from him being a player we approached and still had to get paperwork done up before he could play for us. Sounds like he never had an Irish passport (I'm assuming this based on never having played underage for anyone and so never having declared for anyone - so the passport is the only paperwork change I can see)

Broadly agree with the other two posts too. "Meh" is a good summary and I agree it's "Hard to argue he deserves a call up and cap already." Certainly the days of finding a Houghton or an Aldridge are gone; the underage setup is too thorough for that now.

I do wonder if a place in the squad would be better given to one of the more promising 21s. If there is anyone suitable who isn't in the seniors already.

But certainly let's get his thread started and see how it goes! He's on the bench away to Santa Clara at the moment

[Demesne Lad]

Liam Delap called up to the England U-20 squad.

[Eirambler]

The England Under 21s attack doesn't actually look that stacked for the next campaign so he'll probably stay there I'd imagine. He's had a really poor season at club level, rarely gets off the bench for Preston these days. A lot of flaws in his game have been exposed in senior football. He has it all to do to make it at a decent level I think.

[Razors left peg]

Delap and Mipo are prime cases to why we should stop getting carried away with whether young players want to play for us or not.

[JR89]

CJ Egan Riley is someone we should approach given the options we've got for the upcoming U21s. Would also cover RB and DM.

[Eirambler]

Fully agree, he'd be a very good addition and would cover a couple of positions where we could use some extra depth. Seems to be off the English radar a bit these days also, playing in Scotland.

[John83]

Delap and Mipo are prime cases to why we should stop getting carried away with whether young players want to play for us or not.
People are always too worked up about good teenaged players, but it's a numbers game. England having figured out to be much more profession in that regard has put pressure on a traditional source of players for us. It's on the FAI to be equally on top of things to maximize our odds with dual eligible players. Maybe they are; I can't say I have any feeling for how good or bad we are at that these days.

[CraftyToePoke]

It's on the FAI to be equally on top of things to maximize our odds with dual eligible players. Maybe they are; I can't say I have any feeling for how good or bad we are at that these days.

Probably about as good or as active as we've always been but aren't as attractive an option or as easy to sell with the decline we've suffered in the last ten / fifteen years. I'd say Martin O'Neill was worse than useless on that front in his time too, don't think he saw it as anything to do with him.

If things pick up, we will probably see marginals go more our way again, or sudden expressions of interest, but then do we want those types ?

Brooks in the 21s is interesting, his club are involved in a title race & he has been preferred to a Norwich City loanee in goals for the last few games, which at 19 is impressive even though its National League level. He was brought to St Georges Park by the English FA for one of their gatherings too, but has stayed with us.

[elatedscum]

Ireland eligible Omari Kellyman is switching from NI to England.

Presumably this makes him ineligible for us going forward

[Eirambler]

If he plays for England that will make him ineligible for any country other than England. I always think switching to England at a young age like that is a stupid move though. Realistically, what are the odds that this lad will end up being good enough to play for England - 1 in 100 maybe? So why tie yourself to one team at this stage? The smart play would be to stay in the NI youth setup for now, or just not take the NI caps to start with.

[Olé Olé]

If he plays for England that will make him ineligible for any country other than England. I always think switching to England at a young age like that is a stupid move though. Realistically, what are the odds that this lad will end up being good enough to play for England - 1 in 100 maybe? So why tie yourself to one team at this stage? The smart play would be to stay in the NI youth setup for now, or just not take the NI caps to start with.
Maybe he just has no interest in playing for NI? So he would rather take the England underage caps and the 1 in 100 chance of a senior England cap? Fair enough he could have not taken them to start with but we have seen that before with lads going in there then realizing they would rather the chance of Ireland caps.

[Olé Olé]

Probably about as good or as active as we've always been but aren't as attractive an option or as easy to sell with the decline we've suffered in the last ten / fifteen years. I'd say Martin O'Neill was worse than useless on that front in his time too, don't think he saw it as anything to do with him.

If things pick up, we will probably see marginals go more our way again, or sudden expressions of interest, but then do we want those types ?

Brooks in the 21s is interesting, his club are involved in a title race & he has been preferred to a Norwich City loanee in goals for the last few games, which at 19 is impressive even though its National League level. He was brought to St Georges Park by the English FA for one of their gatherings too, but has stayed with us.

Big difference between being called up to train at St George's and getting an actual under 20 or 21 call up for Brooks. Definitely their under 21 goalkeepers are all well ahead of Brooks and his National League caps with Championship and League One experience aplenty between their four picks.

[Eirambler]

Maybe he just has no interest in playing for NI? So he would rather take the England underage caps and the 1 in 100 chance of a senior England cap? Fair enough he could have not taken them to start with but we have seen that before with lads going in there then realizing they would rather the chance of Ireland caps.



That's absolutely fine, but then why take multiple NI underage caps in that case? You're just reducing your options. Incidentally I'd say the same about Darragh Burns, who now can't play for the north and probably won't be good enough for us. Probably should have kept the NI card in his pocket for a few years to see how his career went.

[Bielsa´s irish]

im positive about Delap, he must declare for IRELAND, from what i saw, the kid is very good, and the game is up to opportunities, Brighton is a club who cares about young talent, and a good scouting, man city is a merchant machine will sell youngsters for fun

[Fixer82]

im positive about Delap, he must declare for IRELAND, from what i saw, the kid is very good, and the game is up to opportunities, Brighton is a club who cares about young talent, and a good scouting, man city is a merchant machine will sell youngsters for fun

this is delusional

[Razors left peg]

this is delusional

Theres a reason hes on a suspension

[tetsujin1979]

According to football365, the FAI and Scotland have spoken to Anthony Gordon about changing his international allegiance
https://www.football365.com/news/england-players-dual-nationality-eligible-lose-arsenal-southgate

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Scotland and the Republic of Ireland are thought to be sniffing around 27-cap England youth international Gordon, who might prefer to focus on Newcastle after a difficult first couple of months as a £45m forward.

[JR89]

Couldn't see Gordon switching. Has the U21s Euro this summer and could well get caps for the England senior team. No doubting the kids got some talent but he's a very unlikable player and not in a good way.

[Razors left peg]

According to football365, the FAI and Scotland have spoken to Anthony Gordon about changing his international allegiance
https://www.football365.com/news/england-players-dual-nationality-eligible-lose-arsenal-southgate

Anything from that website might as well come from The Sun or the Mirror.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Unless Gordon had an Irish passport before he tured 21 and played for England, he's ineligible anyway.

[John83]

Anything from that website might as well come from The Sun or the Mirror.
It's a level above the tabloids in terms of writing and analysis, but I don't pay them much heed on rumours. They regurgitate rather than report, I think.

[tetsujin1979]

There's some good eggs writing at f365, wouldn't put them in the same class as the red tops

[Eirambler]

Unless Gordon had an Irish passport before he tured 21 and played for England, he's ineligible anyway.

Could see him ending up with Scotland, they're signing English lads wherever they can these days.

[Diggs246]

Unless Gordon had an Irish passport before he tured 21 and played for England, he's ineligible anyway.

I'm pretty sure that rule has gone now. Re Ryan Johansson

[JR89]

I'm pretty sure that rule has gone now. Re Ryan Johansson

Think it still counts but only now if a player plays once he turns 22 rather than needing the nationality before his first competitive cap at any level.

Like Finn Azaz isn't 100% tied to us, but might now be ineligible for Israel or can't pick up a new nationality and play for them but obviously can with England. Similar to Smallbone and Coventry still being eligible for England.

If Gordon's birth isn't registered with the foreign births register then he's possibly ineligible for us or will be when he plays in the u21 euros this summer.

[CraftyToePoke]

Surely these lads & particularly the shrewdness of their agents would take care of keeping those international career options open these days ? Even if only for leverage purposes. They're so tuned in to every available angle.

[Eirambler]

Surely these lads & particularly the shrewdness of their agents would take care of keeping those international career options open these days ? Even if only for leverage purposes. They're so tuned in to every available angle.

I doubt Gordon would be too bothered about that either way. He has already played for England under 21s after his 21st birthday so, unless he held Irish citizenship before his first competitive England appearance (which was at under 19 level in 2019) he's ineligible for us now anyway.

He remains eligible for Scotland as well as England. So if he falls short of the standard for England he'll play for Scotland I'd imagine.

[liamoo11]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.footballinsider247.com/sources-sheffield-wednesday-huddersfield-town-and-barnsley-race-to-sign-millenic-alli/%3famp be a big step up but hopefully he gets a move

[SkStu]

Goal for Dennis Cirkin today.

1645449457083842560

[seanfhear]

I love a follow up goal.

[tetsujin1979]

It does bother me a little the way some irish football accounts will give as much time to players who are eligible for Ireland, but have made no mention of declaring, as actual Irish internationals
There was a near meltdown from a few of them when Jack McGlynn was not included in the US senior squad, only for him to be announced with their U21s a few days later

[Eirambler]

I agree, although I do think out of all the known Irish eligible players not currently in our setup, Cirkin is probably one of the most likely to end up actually playing for us.

[Yard of Pace]

I agree, although I do think out of all the known Irish eligible players not currently in our setup, Cirkin is probably one of the most likely to end up actually playing for us.

Anyone know why Cirkin has been missing from Sunderland's play-off games?

[Demesne Lad]

Midfielder Kieran O'Neill Dowell (17 England U-21 caps) is (?was) eligible for the Republic of Ireland via the grandparent rule. However, he has been released by Norwich City (65 appearances, 11 goals) at the end of his 3-year contract (Bristol Live, 16 May)

[SkStu]

Watching USA v Ecuador in the U20 WC. McGlynn looks a player. Central to everything the USA is doing, fantastic range of passing.

[Demesne Lad]

Christy Pym (28), former England U-20 cap who is also eligible for Ireland, has been put on the transfer list by Peterborough. Pym was first choice keeper for Mansfield (EFL2) in 2022/23.

[Bielsa´s irish]

liam delap insulted the whole match in Bs AS province capital city, some friend went there to insult england and delap

[tetsujin1979]

do you have any evidence of this?

[Bielsa´s irish]

do you have any evidence of this?
yes my friend is all over the highlights on internet and in the oficial broadcast on national tv and cable tv, check also when DELAP takes the penalty the insults from the stands and the antianglo songs, the whole england team was insulted the same with the french, verify the chants, we have deep repugnance of both the english because of colonialism and war , the french for football reasons they have menaced and insulted MESSI the few last months more so after we won the holy grail of football, my good friend

on delap I hope yesterday's incident makes clear his mind and go green