Mattock and Stearman on the Martin O'Neill radar
Sunday, 11 May 08, 09:11 AM
The start of the season is always the most exciting time of the year for me, but today is also going to be quite interesting, if only because so much is still undecided.
Also, let's not forget that at midnight, the transfer window opens!
The opening of that transfer window will also be quite exciting because we all know more players are needed and two of those players, if you believe the papers, are going to be Joe Mattock and Richard Stearman from Leicester.
Now, Joe Mattock is a 17 year old left back who has played for England at pretty much every level up to U21 and is a very good prospect, but that is all he is. He's not even a Wayne Routledge, with a little experience, he's a prospect.
The other player linked is Richard Stearman. The first time we were linked to him was back in October 2006, when he was only 19 years old. He's now 20 and not much has changed about him as a player.
He's a right back with bags of potential. Some at Leicester even believe he could make the step up to the Premier League now, while others think maybe another year or two.
He's won the player of the year at Leicester and players player of the year. Not a bad return for a 20 year old.
Well, that's about it for today. Leicester are relegated to the old Division 3 and these players will be available on the cheap and seeing as Martin O'Neill appears to be very interested in anyone that is or has played for England at U21 level, then the likelihood of these two coming is actually quite high.
It would be quite nice I suppose, but still expect some real quality to come in.
Comments (14)
With Barry going to Liverpool and Bosingwa to Chelsea shows what we're up against this summer!! left with the crap!
the old division 2*
alextaylor24
you're clearly not as old as me ;)
Jeez damian going back before the prem was started with the division thing you old man. *passes pipe & slippers*
Just read in the paper that barry is set to ask permission to leave the club for a move to liverpool, what a bad mistake that will be by him as i truely believe we're gonna be pushing them all the way next season.
Leicester had the 2nd best defensive record in the championship this season (it didn't help them much) and these 2 guys were pretty much ever presents in their defence what does that tell you about their prospects. Pretty good if you ask me. Sign them up.
think stearman could be a quality addition, saw him play for england under 21's and much like when gareth barry first arrived on the scene as young lad did not look out of place. O'neill has a record of getting the best out of players so these 2 players could be ones for the future, and to get them on the cheap as leicester are now relegated could be a good bit of business. Not heard much of joe mattock but if you have represented England at every level you must be a promising talent. The last person i can remember to represent england at every level was a one Michael Owen, now both play different roles but you can see the point i'm making.
c'mon you villa boys later, up the goerdies too!!
Both intelligent cheap signings. Mattock is the second youngest player ever to play for the U21's i think and Stearman has been exceptional for leicester this season. If we're gonna get in quality and bulid the squad then cheap players like these two make a lot of sense. I wouldn't mind seeing a couple of palace's young guns either. Bostock and Moses would be t pick i suppose!
As regards that report about Barry, its in the News of the World so its questionable, i notice none of the broadsheets have anything about him decideing to leave, but if he has - fair play to him- i think he'll be part of a rotation system, i think liverpool will finish 5th next season and i think he'll be in the same position as pee-tey Crouch this time next year..... Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, tough competition.
could sort the full back postions out for the next decade and stearman can play centre back as well. any figures been thrown around yet about how much they'd cost?
I've heard the two of them will cost us 2.5mil which is nothing really. Might be worth a punt.
It's definitely worth buying in as much young talent as possible. Some of them will turn out to be gems.
I didn't think the transfer window was open till July. Is it tonight? :S
plewsy
[url=http://www.avfcblog.com/content/view/1768/70/]read this[/url] about the transfer window
we emailed the FA and that was there response
I'll take Stearman straight away. Leicester had the 2nd best defensive record in the Championship this season and he's a big reason why. Get him in MON!