Official Transfers Abroad 2020

[tommy_c12000]

That time of the season to speculate on which Irish players need to move mid-season. I’m going to focus on the young prospects who I think need to consider a move, mostly loans.

Goalkeepers:
- Travers and Kelleher need a loan urgently. Preston linked to Kelleher but can’t see them taking a risk, league 1 or even league 2 would be adequate.

Defenders:
- O’Shea: needs loan to lower championship or league 1. He’s 4th choice CB.
- Masterson: if he’s not broken into QPR side by the Jan, he needs a loan, anywhere will do to play his first senior football at 21.
- N Collins: If he breaks back into stoke side over December, all is good. If not, he needs a loan to continue his development.
- R Nolan: Hasn’t worked out for him in serie C so far. Still got developing to do in order to adapt. Similar build to Masterson, but Masterson appears a much more stylish footballer to my eye. If he’s still not back to starting with Arezzo soon, not sure where u drop to for a loan experience, serie D?

Midfielders:
- C Ronan: His loan to FC DAC was until January. Awaiting to see if it’s extended. Won’t break into the wolves team currently so probably better off staying where he is for the year.
- Coventry: Molumby took his career by the scruff of the neck by taking the initiative to engineer a loan move which has worked out very well for him. Conor needs to do the same, although he’s in a slightly different situation. His contract is up next summer, he does have an option of signing elsewhere, or else go on loan but don’t think west ham will allow him go on loan unless he’s signed an extended contract. West Ham have been selfish pressuring him to stay with 23s, dangling the carrot of U23s captain at him, as their priority appears to be promotion to PL2 league 1, and not Conor’s development. He needs first team football. Champ or L1 in jan please. On a positive note though, he was training with the seniors this week, and Nathan Holland made the bench, so you never know.
- Kilkenny: A 6 month loan please.

Forwards:
- Parrott: loan move in January if no regular first team exposure. The permanent move away is intriguing but he could easily lose his way at some of the clubs being mentioned. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.
Obafemi: Did okay in his 2 recent consecutive starts. Unless he breaks through properly in December, I would favor loan move. Badly needs a run of games, and to see if his hamstrings can actually withstand the demands of regular professional football. He has potential, no doubt about it.
- Idah: training with first team he improved him drastically. Needs a loan move January. Not looking likely to break into side as Norwich continue with only 1 striker. Idah is 3rd, possibly 4th choice.

- The Celtic 5 (O’C, Luca, Coffey, Arm-Oko, Afolabi)
Well, well, well, what do you say about this situation. It’s an absolute disaster from an irish perspective at the moment. And unless a couple of them breakthrough over Christmas, Duff and O’Dea will have done our country a disservice luring our prospects north of the border promising them inevitable riches. I’m sure O’Connor wasn’t told they planned on signing Frimpong at the same time. It’s worked out well for him. They had no strikers fit this week but yet Lennon plays a makeshift striker vs Hamilton. There is no development infrastructure in Scotland and these lads may rot unless they force a loan move in January (or even a permanent one if they don’t get any assurances off Lennon). If none of them play by January, it will be a stark warning for any youngsters next summer who Celtic try to lure with the promise of a fast track to first team football. They may use Frimpong as an example but there were many more who perished without any chances given.

[irishfan86]

Getting slightly concerned about Duffy. He’s still involved off the bench regularly & surely will get starts during this busy December. But he’s clearly not favoured by Potter. I’m sure there’s no urgency on Duffy’s part to panic at this stage as he could still win his spot back.

Doubt he moves on in January but if another lower level premier league team or higher end Championship team came in for him, might be best for him & us.

[tommy_c12000]

Yes, Duffy situation is concerning, but can’t see Brighton letting him leave before next summer. Brighton have been conceding plenty of goals from set pieces with Webster and Dunk liable, and their so called footballing skills have been getting them in trouble in the past few games. A few more soft goals and Duffy will be back in. Potter will want Duffy around for the season

[mark12345]

Yes, Duffy situation is concerning, but can’t see Brighton letting him leave before next summer. Brighton have been conceding plenty of goals from set pieces with Webster and Dunk liable, and their so called footballing skills have been getting them in trouble in the past few games. A few more soft goals and Duffy will be back in. Potter will want Duffy around for the season

Duffy needs to develop his ball skills. Sticking a head on a long ball, to clear it, is yesterday's game. He needs to get on board with a Brighton team that is playing football from the back. He's better than he used to be, but still room for improvement.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Yes, Duffy situation is concerning, but can’t see Brighton letting him leave before next summer. Brighton have been conceding plenty of goals from set pieces with Webster and Dunk liable, and their so called footballing skills have been getting them in trouble in the past few games. A few more soft goals and Duffy will be back in. Potter will want Duffy around for the season
Potter is going to persist with Dunk, Webster and Burn - Duffy will be kept because they will pick up suspensions - Brighton have Ben White to bring back from Leeds loan - then Duffy will be surplus to requirements - but that will be next summer.

Duffy could potentially do a job for any one of 6/8 PL teams - or somewhere like Leeds or WBA if they get promoted.

[dynamo kerry]

Potter is going to persist with Dunk, Webster and Burn - Duffy will be kept because they will pick up suspensions - Brighton have Ben White to bring back from Leeds loan - then Duffy will be surplus to requirements - but that will be next summer.

Duffy could potentially do a job for any one of 6/8 PL teams - or somewhere like Leeds or WBA if they get promoted.

I find the duffy can't play football narrative really odd. He's in a side where if you try and play football you get punished for the most part and they are normally under so much pressure due to having a crap midfield (at that level) that clearances and headers are the game. Duffy against Denmark for example was an illustration of what he's capable of doing.

Brighton are fortunate that watford and norwich are so awful this season. Duffy's agent should be pushing to change the narrative and get him a big move now that he's 29 and has one big move left. his stats in the premier league are awesome and he could go do a decent club in europe particularly and play champions league. leeds? give me strength.

[Olé Olé]

Shane Duffy is 27. Granted, he is 28 in January.

I think he is comfortably a Premier League defender.

[dynamo kerry]

Shane Duffy is 27. Granted, he is 28 in January.

I think he is comfortably a Premier League defender.

Not sure where I got the 29 from..28 still ample.reason to angle for that big career move. He's good enough.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paper-talk-middlesbroughs-randolph-new-17383929

I wouldn't complain too much about this. West Ham have enough to improve.

[Eirambler]

Duffy emerged at the wrong time for that kind of old school centre half, developed as a no nonsense defender just as they were going out of fashion, if he was five or ten years older he'd have had a great career, five years younger and he'd have had the ball playing side of the game coached into him.

Talk of a big move is nonsense I'm afraid, none of the top sides will be looking at him. Even the likes of Sheffield United, Southampton, Norwich etc play too much football at the back to consider going for him. But a team coming up who's first objective is to finish no lower than 17th might be interested. Otherwise it's easy to see how he could become a Richard Keogh 'legend of the Championship' type of player in the latter part of his career.

Reminds me of the last few years of Robbie Keane's career, a 4-4-2 type forward in the one up front era, he had to drop down to the level of the SPL and MLS to get a game. Speaking of which - Duffy to Celtic, might be a realistic option at some point.

Would also be concerned at how he might or might not fit into Stephen Kenny's plans for the same reasons.

[Olé Olé]

He can pass the ball. Duffy is not just a hoofball merchant. He was clearly under instruction from MON to be one.

[Charlie Darwin]

Duffy can play football if he's given the chance. The idea he can't be a starter for Brighton is ridiculous - he just has to prove he's better than the guys currently in the team.

[elatedscum]

Duffy is a better footballer than people give him credit for, possibility because he looks a little awkward. He has a good range of passing both long and short, he’s decent at driving through the middle when space opens up and once he’s got going he’s fairly quick and hard to stop. He’s got good decision making, unlike some of his Brighton teammates. His touch leaves a good bit to be desired but still. I’d take that package combined with his aerial ability, his tackling and his desire.

He’s probably our best player. Him or maybe Doherty...

Along with Ben White, Matthew Clarke is out on loan and supposed to be decent. Even still, Duffy is significantly better than everyone except Dunk (hes still better than Dunk imo)... half the sides in the league would improve with him at the heart of them and not just lower half. From Arsenal to City to United, loads of teams with dodgy centre halves who can’t defend...

[tommy_c12000]

Potential league 1 loan deal for Conor Masterson if clubs are interested https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-defender-lined-up-for-loan-move

[tommy_c12000]

Twitter lighting up on a potential loan deal for Troy Parrott at Doncaster Rovers. This article appears to be the basis of the rumour: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-ready-incomings-and-outgoing-january-approaches-1351331%3famp

To me it’s more consistent with Idah, which would make more sense to me and would be an excellent move. Parrott has played in league cup and came on in premier league, while Idah only made a league cup appearance. Moreover, Idah has appeared on bench more times than Parrott (who only has 2 bench appearances). Parrott should be aiming for championship level in any case, would be a disappointing move if true for him.

[Olé Olé]

Haven't Spurs recalled Kazaiah Sterling from Doncaster also?

[irishfan86]

This was brought up in another thread but it looks like Glenn Whelan is going to be moving on from Hearts. New manager doesn’t seem too convinced by him. Hopefully he finds a team at a decent level to extend his career until at least the end of this campaign.

[Olé Olé]

Thomas O'Connor's loan extended until end of the season at Gillingham from Southampton. On the other hand, Sean McLaughlin has been recalled from St Mirren by Hull.

Consensus on Twitter and fan forums seems to be that both loans had/have been a success this far. One would hope McLaughlin sees some action now.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.blackandwhitearmy.com/forums/index.php?/topic/50308-sean-mcloughlin/page/2/#comments

A lot of posts here on Sean and how he is too good for them, been a great signing and constantly improving for them. All positive. League One or Hull first team hopefully. You would imagine the latter, although his loan was actually 6 months and he wasn't recalled.

[nigel-harps1954]

This was brought up in another thread but it looks like Glenn Whelan is going to be moving on from Hearts. New manager doesn’t seem too convinced by him. Hopefully he finds a team at a decent level to extend his career until at least the end of this campaign.

Could possibly see him come to Ireland and put the roots down with the family? Doesn't seem the most likely to move into coaching. Could take a chance on a year or two at home before retiring? Is there any Championship club going to take a punt on him realistically?

[tetsujin1979]

Thread stuck to top of the forum

[DeLorean]

Could possibly see him come to Ireland and put the roots down with the family? Doesn't seem the most likely to move into coaching. Could take a chance on a year or two at home before retiring? Is there any Championship club going to take a punt on him realistically?

He has all his badges. I would've thought it'd be a very likely move for him once he retires. Guys without pace tend to understand the game better, because they've had to. :)

[tommy_c12000]

Liam Kelly has failed the Dutch experiment, back in England on loan with Oxford. Interestingly, Nathan Holland also gone to Oxford. That would have been a great loan for Conor Coventry, but appears they were more interested in Kelly

[tetsujin1979]

Coventry is going to Lincoln on loan until the end of the season according to reports on Twitter

[tetsujin1979]

Aaron Molloy selected by Portland Timbers, at number 16 in the draft.

[samhaydenjr]

Hearts to Harts for Aidan Keena: https://www.the42.ie/aidan-keena-to-hartlepool-4960509-Jan2020/ - bit disappointing to see him go down to National League, after scoring regularly during his loan spells but hopefully he can get regular first-team football and goals

[Demesne Lad]

Conor Shaughnessy (Leeds Utd), who was on loan with Mansfield Town of League 2, will step up to League1 Burton Albion, on loan until the end of the season.

[Olé Olé]

That's positive because I don't think the Hearts loan went too well so at least he did enough at Mansfield to move up.

[Demesne Lad]

​Andy Keogh has signed a deal to join Indian Super League club North East United from Saudi Club Al-Qadsiah (Sky Sports).

[Demesne Lad]

Andy Keogh has signed a deal to join Indian Super League club North East United from Saudi Club Al-Qadsiah (Sky Sports).

[samhaydenjr]

Joshua Kayode gone on loan from Rotherham to Carlisle: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51126108 - just back from a loan spell at Gateshead, which seems to have been reasonably productive, with him making 27 appearances and scoring 9 times. Not one of our headline-grabbing teenage strikers but may be worth keeping an eye on his progress

[Demesne Lad]

Conor Ronan (21) is going on loan from Wolves to Blackpool of League 1 until the end of the season. He recently returned from a 12-month loan at DAC Dunajska Streda in Slovakia, where he made 33 appearances across two half-seasons.

[Closed Account]

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-sign-former-everton-midfielder-harry-charsley-1369132
Harry Charsley signs and makes his debut for Mansfield Town in League Two

[Demesne Lad]

Charsley suffered a serious stress fracture of his back last season. Everton seem to have done the decent thing by him. Hopefully he can progress to a higher level in time.

https://www.toffeeweb.com/players/profiles/Charsley.php

[Olé Olé]

Interesting one this. Jake Mulraney has signed for Atlanta United from Hearts.

[samhaydenjr]

Interesting one this. Jake Mulraney has signed for Atlanta United from Hearts.

Wow, if he can break into the first team there, that's a terrific move - might even be enough to put him on Kenny's radar for the Europa League

[Olé Olé]

Yes, it's a good move and hopefully he can crack on there. Interesting to note they have sent Jon Gallagher on loan to Aberdeen of the SPL and taken Mulraney from Hearts of the SPL and I think the pair both play on the right, so similar positions. Although Gallagher is a bit more of an auxiliary right side player.

[Charlie Darwin]

Wow, if he can break into the first team there, that's a terrific move - might even be enough to put him on Kenny's radar for the Europa League
Not much faith Vinny Perth's future, have you?

[samhaydenjr]

Not much faith Vinny Perth's future, have you?

Dammit! Nations League, of course! :embarrassed:

[Olé Olé]

Loan move to West Bromwich Albion for Irish international Callum Robinson https://the42.ie/4982788

No harm at all for him.

[Demesne Lad]

Scott Hogan going on loan to Birmingham for the rest of the season. He's still technically an Aston Villa player.

[seanfhear]

Scott Hogan going on loan to Birmingham for the rest of the season. He's still technically an Aston Villa player.They Stoked him before letting him go to Birmingham.

[tommy_c12000]

Overall a satisfactory transfer window for Ireland. Afolabi, O’Connor (has been good in the 2 games so far with Thistle), Coventry, Elbouzedi, Ronan all getting “okay” loan moves, up to them to prove themselves now.

Parrott remains at Spurs as only fit striker, he will get a chance in coming weeks, not overly concerned yet. Idah back playing U23s today, disappointing he wasn’t allowed on loan, but he will get a few more chances this season. The emergence of Masterson and O’Shea has been great, they should continue to develop nicely. It is only a matter of time before Collins replaces Lindsay, who was woeful again tonight, I suffered through 75 minutes before all the subs were used and there was no Knight or Collins.

The biggest disappointments for me were Luca Connell and our goalkeepers. I’m still unclear what happened Luca as was reportedly on his way to Sunderland. It would have been great if he had a run of games at only 18, I was hopeful a Scottish champ team might come on as the transfer window shuts an hour later, but obviously his agent/advisors aren’t that clued in. Our goalkeepers failed to get out on loan. Travers will now train and maybe play the odd under 21 game for Bournemouth. Not sure who’s advising Kelleher, but it’s damning on Liverpool to hold onto him so he plays for their youth team in FA Cup. I hope he secured some promises as part of staying, like staying as number 1 for FA cup as a minimum. And I would have pushed for guarantees for first team starts once Liverpool have title secure, but sincerely doubt that will happen. He’s basically lost a year of his career and will have to put in a year like Grabara on loan next season, and he will be lucky to find a championship team like Grabara did. Kilkenny also disappointing, with Howe under immense pressure not sure if he’ll get much of a look in. With Dobre just sold, and Fraser inevitably leaving in summer, perhaps Howe plans on introducing him in coming weeks, so made him stay. Smallbone was linked with gillingham, but nothing materialized, again this guy really needed a loan.

Overall, good loan window for us. Just a disappointing end with Connell and our keepers not heading out for first team action. Parrott will be okay, to me he looks like a generational talent and will be fine once he keeps focused and remains injury free

[tetsujin1979]

January 2020 Transfer Window summary: 20 transfers, 20 loans, 7 new contracts, 2 players released, 1 new manager: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=6452362993962187222

[tommy_c12000]

Ryan Nolan on loan to AS Giana, second from bottom in same division Arezzo are in. Hopefully he can start all the remaining games, still only 20. Looking increasingly unlikely he’ll be good enough for irish senior team.

[Olé Olé]

Whilst Collins, Masterson and O'Shea play in the Championship. There were people crying out for Nolan's inclusion at times. These have been quelled.

I hope he does come good though. Plenty time there for a centre back.

[tommy_c12000]

Whilst Collins, Masterson and O'Shea play in the Championship. There were people crying out for Nolan's inclusion at times. These have been quelled.

I hope he does come good though. Plenty time there for a centre back.

He should certainly have been assessed properly in person in the underage set up based on his pedigree alone (and multiple country qualification) in case he developed into something special, only made a friendly squad or two, never a competitive squad in any underage group. Perhaps he really did make an awful impression during his brief cameo at 17 and the irish underage management ignorance of him is ultimately vindicated

[Olé Olé]

Interesting one here. Anthony Scully has joined Lincoln permanently on an 18 month deal.

Ireland underage international leaves West Ham for League One side https://the42.ie/4991075

[tetsujin1979]

Is that possibly bad news for Elbouzedi?

[Olé Olé]

It looks like Lincoln play a 4-4-2 and Scully has been playing as a striker mostly and Elbouzedi started for them on the right wing at the weekend.

So, yeah, possible but not that likely.