Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

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Chelsea keen on Aston Villa Youngster Ciaran Clark

Aston Villa’s young talented defender Ciaran Clark is apparently a target for Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti who is looking to bring in new young talent to help reverse the rapidly ageing shape of his Stamford Bridge side. The Blues manager is being linked with a move for the England Under 20 international after a succession of solid performances from the defender.

Gerard Houllier will try his hardest to keep the Harrow born starlet from leaving but may struggle to prevent Clark from having his head turned by interest shown by the Premier League champions. With a number of the Chelsea side getting on in years a move for a player with as much potential as the Villa Park player makes a great deal of sense.

Ciaran Clark has shown his ability play in the centre of midfield as well as his customary centre back position and is reportedly set to become an Irish international and has a bright future ahead of him. His mature performances this season have brought him to the attention of a number of high profile clubs and Houllier will have a fight to keep the Academy graduate at the club.

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geysirs point on procrastination, and this, is it the cynic in me?

He'd be crazy to go to Chelsea.

Interesting to read that many of the Villa fans now see him as a potential brilliant holding midfielder in the Gareth Barry mould. Seems to have all the requisite attributes. Of course Trap knows Ciaran far better than any of the villa fans or Houllier himself, and sees him as a centre back and certainly not a midfielder. Come off the stage Trap you bluffer

http://www.villatalk.com/index.php?n...=asc&start=195

Trap loves defensive midfielders, so isn't he the perfect fit?

He's had two games at centre mid, after spending the majority of his career to date at centre half, it's not an unreasonable deduction that he will be more recognised as a centre half for the rest of his career

True tets, but saying that, it's possible that he could develop into a midfielder if his manager prefers him there. A few young players the same age as Clark, who started out as centre halves have more or less turned into midfielders because their managers have seen potential. Phil Jones played there for Blackburn recently and Jack Rodwell at Everton has turned into an attacking midfielder after playing the majority of his youth career at centre half.

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Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

Interesting to read that many of the Villa fans now see him as a potential brilliant holding midfielder in the Gareth Barry mould.

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As if comparison with one deity wasn't enough, someone took it a step further and invoked McGrath. Strong stuff.

Gareth Barry played his first 5 years or so for Villa at centre half didn't he?

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Gareth Barry played his first 5 years or so for Villa at centre half didn't he?

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According to wikipedia, you're right:

He played his first match for Villa on 2 May 1998 against Sheffield Wednesday. Initially, he played as a central defender, on the left-hand side of a back three alongside Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu. Barry became a highly versatile player and captain first as a centre-back, then a left-back. He then moved to left-midfield, before establishing himself in the centre of midfield.

Let's hope he turns out nothing like Gareth Barry who's been pure gash for 'Ingerland';Makes Kilbane look like Maldini....

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Let's hope he turns out nothing like Gareth Barry who's been pure gash for 'Ingerland';Makes Kilbane look like Maldini....

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Barry may have had a poor world cup but he has been a great player in the Premier league for many seasons. If you are implying that KK is a better player than Barry, you are seriously deluded.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Gareth Barry played his first 5 years or so for Villa at centre half didn't he?

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He initially played as a central defender, on the left-hand side of a back three alongside Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu. After playing left-back for a time, he then moved to left-midfield, before eventually establishing himself in the centre of midfield.

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Originally Posted by drummerboy

Barry may have had a poor world cup but he has been a great player in the Premier league for many seasons.

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Barry has been a good player in the Premier league for many seasons, not a great one.

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Originally Posted by The Fly

Barry has been a good player in the Premier league for many seasons, not a great one.

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Exactly. He was the talisman of a mediocre side and now he is a decent player in a mediocre side with big egos.

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Originally Posted by drummerboy

Barry may have had a poor world cup but he has been a great player in the Premier league for many seasons. If you are implying that KK is a better player than Barry, you are seriously deluded.

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While only an insane person would seriously believe Barry was a poorer player than Kilbane (I'd guess ArdeeBhoy was simply using Kilbane to highlight how dire Barry has been for England) you'd have to be equally insane to believe he was a great player. He looked like a Sunday league player chasing back to catch Ozil in the World Cup. He's another in a long list of overrated English players that's done well for themselves considering their limited ability. Average at best.

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Originally Posted by drummerboy

Barry may have had a poor world cup but he has been a great player in the Premier league for many seasons. If you are implying that KK is a better player than Barry, you are seriously deluded.

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Using KK as a relatively low benchmark, but compared to Barry even a mediocre clubman like him looks streets ahead of Barry whenever he represents his country. And 'great', competent more like.

If Clark wants someone to aspire to, Paul McGrath (without his demons) would be a better option.....

i dont think McGrath would have been McGrath without his demons. Or Cantona. Or Diego.

I personally believe KK is better than all three.

Off topic posts moved to "Magners League" thread

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Originally Posted by SkStu

i dont think McGrath would have been McGrath without his demons. Or Cantona. Or Diego.

I personally believe KK is better than all three.

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Can't believe you think Kilbane is a better player than Paul McGrath! There is no comparison between them. McGrath was world class, Kilbane has been an average player throughout his career.

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Originally Posted by gastric

Can't believe you think Kilbane is a better player than Paul McGrath! There is no comparison between them. McGrath was world class, Kilbane has been an average player throughout his career.

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He's obviously joking, come on son!

Superb :)

I also agree with SKStu on his point that McGrath wouldn't have been Maradona or Cantona without his demons.