Festy Ebosele D Istanbul Basaksehir b.2002

[elatedscum]

I don't think Coleman & Doherty are going to be too central the new managers plans, so who would you want in that RB position? We need someone coming through in position and Ebosele is the best option in my opinion.

I think if you're playing with wing backs, Festy comes into consideration. If you're playing 4-3-3 then you're better playing him as a winger and he's maybe your back-up to Ogbene.

[tetsujin1979]

Udineses nickname for him could do with some work though, jaysus!
It's the name of an Irish bar in Udine, they're a sponsor of the team
http://theblackstuff.it/tbs/

Here's the announcement for the September player of the month with the same logo - can't find one for October
The bar must sponsor the award?
1708465385975005571

[Razors left peg]

It's the name of an Irish bar in Udine, they're a sponsor of the team
http://theblackstuff.it/tbs/

We'll call it unfortunate placing so, LOL

[Diggs246]

Haha.. needed a laugh, thanks!

[Eirambler]

Probably the most in form Irish player playing in a top European league at the moment (though Ogbene giving him a run for it also). There must be a starting place for him next year in a few of the friendlies to see if he's ready to be a regular for us. Either at right wing back in a 3-5-2 type setup or as a winger in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 setup.

A four at the back with deeper central midfielders and two support forwards off Ferguson would be my preference as things stand. Festy and Ogbene either side of Ferguson could be something to get excited about.

[tetsujin1979]

Good win for Udinese today, 3-0 at home to fifth placed Bologna

[Exgrad]

Highlights here with a fair bit from Ebosele in them

RLh4a0gGaU0

[irishfan86]

He’s not the most cultured player but he constantly destabilizes opposing defences by running at them, hitting balls into the box after beating his man. It’s not always the best cross but he creates chaotic/difficult situations multiple times per match. Not unlike Ogbene in that respect. Neither will be hitting precision crosses regularly but they are awkward guys to play against.

Would definitely be open to having them both on the field in wide positions at the same time just to cause that chaos. Offensively we’ve been very predictable for a long time and these guys offer a very different look. I think they’re both best suited to the right but I’d be willing to play one on the off wing, probably Ogbene. Worth experimenting with at least in a friendly.

[Eirambler]

Culture is overrated :). Getting the ball in the box has been underrated for a few years now (in general actually, not just in terms of the Ireland team). Especially in terms of international football, where coaches get such limited time to instill complex game plans, the benefits of having two lightning quick lads who want to advance the play at every opportunity shouldn't be underestimated.

[samhaydenjr]

Culture is overrated :). Getting the ball in the box has been underrated for a few years now (in general actually, not just in terms of the Ireland team). Especially in terms of international football, where coaches get such limited time to instill complex game plans, the benefits of having two lightning quick lads who want to advance the play at every opportunity shouldn't be underestimated.

Very, very true. I've had the chance to watch some Udinese games on TV and Ebosele always looks like beating his man when he goes forward. His defensive play, however, is almost non-existent. He can spend long periods anonymous, as his teammates don't use him as an outlet - but then they start to and he races past defenders and usually does get a decent cross in - I wouldn't have him as a full-back, maybe a wing-back in front of a back three with a quick centre-half backing him up on the right - Jake O'Brien looks suitable for that sort of role. His passing is reasonable and he also has a long throw on him.

[pineapple stu]

Dropped to the bench today after a couple of poor performances in recent weeks unfortunately. Still only two wins for Udinese all season - yet now is the still time to hope their form takes a dip!

[pineapple stu]

Got the last 25 minutes last night as Udinese won away against Juve.

Udinese are a strange team. Three league wins all season - away against Juve and AC Milan, and home against Bologna. All three sides in the top five and in the Champions League spots as things stand.

[pineapple stu]

Good news - first start since mid January today

Bad news - sent off just before the hour for two yelled. Udinese now hanging on to a draw at home to the bottom team in the league

[SkStu]

The legendary Fabio Cannavaro appointed the Udinese boss following the sacking of Cioffi. Will be interesting to see what impact this will have on Ebosele's minutes after he was already dropped for the last few games. Maybe Cannavaro can mould Festy's defensive attributes. Not sure if he'll be able to cure his lousy touch but we'll see.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cjmk3kjznpzo

[tetsujin1979]

Udinese are facing relegation after the weekend's loss to Verona, it's only goal difference that's keeping them out of the bottom three
It might go down to the last game of the season - away to 18th placed Frosinone

[Exgrad]

They had a decent 1-1 draw with Milan but are in the bottom three now. Ebosele doesn't seem to be getting a look in at moment. Not too much of a suprise going on his cameo against Belgium.

[JR89]

Massive result for Udinese beating Lecce 2-0. Jumps them from 18th to 15th with two games left. They've Empoli and Frosinone left to play who are both a point behind Udinese. Festy came off the bench in the 74th minute.

[pineapple stu]

Got the win they ultimately needed on the final day - Empoli scored a 92nd minute winner which would have relegated Udinese had they drawn against Frosinone (who did go down) rather than win 1-0

Festy and Abankwah on the bench throughout though. Only started one game since the end of Jan (and was sent off in that). Don't know will they trust he'll kick on next year, or look to send him out on loan

[Eirambler]

He might be dispatched to Watford for a season to see how he goes there. He obviously has certain positive attributes, but he badly needs to round out his game in the next couple of years. I definitely don't think we could consider him for a full back or even a wing back position at international level at the moment.

[CSAD]

Looking at Turkish twitter there is alot of talk that Galatasaray are interested in signing Ebosele for around 5m, not sure how serious this is but it was spoken about a lot so maybe there's truth in it.

[Trequartista20]

Loan to Watford for the season.

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/24553633.watford-take-ebosele-loan-udinese-season/

[John83]

How are Watford these days? I know they were 15th in the Championship, but I have no idea how their recruitment was this summer.

I had a quick look at their squad. It looks like Ryan Andrews, a 20 year old academy player, was their starting right back last year. Cover is Jeremy Ngakia, who is 23 and has been a squad player for them for several years. That sounds like an environment in which Festy can realistically challenge to start.

[liamoo11]

How are Watford these days? I know they were 15th in the Championship, but I have no idea how their recruitment was this summer.

I had a quick look at their squad. It looks like Ryan Andrews, a 20 year old academy player, was their starting right back last year. Cover is Jeremy Ngakia, who is 23 and has been a squad player for them for several years. That sounds like an environment in which Festy can realistically challenge to start.

Left wing back they look light in maybe option there? Would be good for hos ireland ambitions if he could do something on the left

[JR89]

How are Watford these days? I know they were 15th in the Championship, but I have no idea how their recruitment was this summer.

I had a quick look at their squad. It looks like Ryan Andrews, a 20 year old academy player, was their starting right back last year. Cover is Jeremy Ngakia, who is 23 and has been a squad player for them for several years. That sounds like an environment in which Festy can realistically challenge to start.

They've actually started the season undefeated. Three wins and only conceding three goals. Even in the EFL cup they've won both games without conceding. So may take him time to get regular minutes.

[joey B]

Scored Watfords opener today…

[Eirambler]

A possible opening for Festy now on the right wing for November and beyond. McAteer and Sykes would be other possibilities, but Festy seems the most like for like replacement for Ogbene in terms of his out and out pace and style or play.

[Acornvilla]

I'd be happy enough to see Festy get two starts in a row and see how he fares, tough to make an impact and build connections in the limited opportunities he's had, we've seen V Finland and at moments at club level there's an excellent player there, even if it didn't go overly well, I think it would be worthwhile giving him the time.

[MancIrishWolf]

Seems to be impressing in regular games for Watford at the moment in the Wing Back role. Him and Brady on either flank as a 3-5-2 with Ferguson and Szmodics up top could be a decent future option…

I thought Festy was excellent and (apart from Bachmann) we defended well.

Ebosele was strong in both departments today and looks the choice wing back for me, glad we got him in

I thought Ebosele had a good game. Not quite as swashbuckling going forwards but defended well

Festy put in a huge shift and was rightly our MOTM.

https://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/watford-fc-1-0-blackburn-rovers-26-10-2024-ko-12-30pm.61204/page-4

[rebelmusic]

Came off the bench early tonight but went off injured around the 50' mark. Hopefully nothing too serious

[pineapple stu]

I see McNamara also came on and went off tonight - though he only lasted four minutes.

Unusual to be subbed on and off in the same game - let alone have two of our players do it on the same night

[pineapple stu]

His sister's after joining the cast of Gladiators, bizarrely! (https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/enniscorthy-news/wexford-woman-set-to-join-hit-bbc-show-as-newest-gladiator/a1249145099.html)

[~YTM~]

Can she play as a full back?

[tetsujin1979]

Possibly moving to to Turkey. Transfer agreed with Istanbul Basaksehir
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[~YTM~]

Isn't Festy out injured for awhile?

[tetsujin1979]

Isn't Festy out injured for awhile?
I had thought so, but the deal has been agreed between the clubs. Galatasaray were supposed to have been interested at one point too.

[Eirambler]

Bayer Leverkusen
Udinese
Stade de Reims
Real Betis
Istanbul Basaksehir

I can't ever remember a transfer window with as many Irish players being transferred or linked to as many top division continental European clubs.

Makes a change from Robbie Brady to Preston and Enda Stevens to Stoke anyway!

[SkStu]

move to Turkey confirmed...

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0131/1494095-transfers-ebosele-seals-move-to-istanbul-basaksehir/

[Demesne Lad]

The move to Turkey, on a permanent basis, confirmed. The destinations for Irish players are certainly becoming more exotic!

www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/festy-ebosele-signs-for-istanbul-basaksehir-to-become-first-irishman-to-play-in-turkeys-top-flight/a10142121

[pineapple stu]

Not sure what to make of this one. Would have been more enthused if he'd made of an impact at Watford I guess, instead of losing his starting place by November.

Bit of a sideways step I suppose. But let's see how it goes

[SkStu]

Festy is a riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma.

[pineapple stu]

He's a Russian?!

Booo!!

[Eirambler]

Festy is a riddle wrapped up in a mystery inside an enigma.

Funnily enough I had actually considered using that quote in a post about Adam Idah earlier in the week.

[tetsujin1979]

Named as a substitute for Istanbul today
https://www.instagram.com/p/DH3qA4KtCh6

[pateen]

Has he been injured?

[Exgrad]

Yes been injured since he transfered there, injured playing fior Watford.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/not-good-news-watford-fear-the-worst-after-festy-ebosele-injury/a364347851.html

[tetsujin1979]

Starting for Istanbul for the first time this evening
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