Shay Given’s ‘nearly-man’ tag looks set to stick

Matt Le Tissier is widely regarded as the most well known Premier League player whose loyalty to his beloved club as well as a lack of ambition cost him further honours both domestically and internationally that his talents perhaps deserved.

But goalkeeper Shay Given may well become the 21st century example if he looks back on his impressive but ultimately trophy less career in a few seasons time.

Irish international Given is set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury and therefore it appears his brief flirtation with Manchester City is over.

The 34-year-old signed for the Blues in January 2009 with a desire to win trophies. At that stage Newcastle were on their way down to the Championship while City were busy collecting any player who commanded a sizeable transfer fee in order to demonstrate their new found financial strength.

Despite accusing the Magpies of not doing enough to keep him the Newcastle supporters wished Given well as he had given them 12 years loyal service and stuck with them through thick and thin in the hope they would win a trophy.

But in the end, with his years advancing, he took the gamble to jump ship to City. Unfortunately it hasn’t really worked.

Not only have City failed to win a trophy their spending should really command but Given is now second choice to Joe Hart, only making fleeting appearances in the cups this season. Plenty of people will be considering placing a football bet on City to win the FA Cup this season, but even if they do Given won’t be part of the team when it happens.

Goalkeepers can continue on until their late thirties or in Edwin Van Der Sar’s case into their forties so Given may still have time on his side. But his next move, possibly his last, is a critical one if he wants a few medals to with his vast collection of international caps. He needs to prove first that he is still good enough to compete at the top level – not easy from the substitute’s bench – as a drop down the divisions will all but signal an end to his hopes.

If he can then maybe he could end his career on a high and console himself with a quote linked to his nation’s most famous tipple: Good things come to those who wait.

Fergie on lookout for Van der Sar’s successor

Whoever is expected to fill the boots (or rather, gloves) of Edwin Van der Sar when he eventually hangs them up at the end of the current season, will have an absolutely mammoth task on their hands. The truth is that Peter Schmeichel has never truly been replaced in the eyes of many Manchester United supporters – but that’s not for a lack of trying: Bosnich, van der Gouw, Culkin, Taibi, Rachubka, Barthez, Goram, Caroll, Ricardo and Howard each tried to fill the void left by the “Great Dane”, but all were found wanting, in Taibi’s case comically so. Anyone looking to bet on Champions League football next season will know a replacement is needed and fast.

At the end of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson will once more charged with the impossible task of replacing an Old Trafford ghost – although he will know all too well that one cannot simply buy a readymade legend.

The prime candidates, certainly as far as the fans are concerned, appear to be either Pepe Reina at Liverpool, or Hugo Lloris at Lyon. Reina would of course be first choice – his Champions League, Premier League and international experience would be invaluable to the smooth transition into a side pushing for trophies on all fronts, but Ferguson must know that his chances of securing the Spaniard’s services from their most bitter of rivals would be somewhere between slim and none and the rumour mill suggests he’ll be staying put.

Lloris however, has all the experience without any of the animosity. He is the current Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the Year and has even captained France on occasion, but his reported £20-25m price-tag would certainly act as a barrier for any potential deal taking him to the English league, especially with FIFA’s Financial Fair-Play rules lurking.

However, At Elland Road, there plays an individual who certainly has the potential to emulate Peter Schmeichel – because he is his son. Kasper Schmiechel has enjoyed a fantastic run of form with the Championship side since leaving Notts County, and with a little patience and some experience at the highest level, there’s no doubt that he can take his old man’s place between the sticks at the Stretford end. The fans would love him, he would be affordable, and although he’d be a gamble, what a legacy for the retiring Ferguson to leave behind.

Reina hints at Anfield exit

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina has admitted he is tempted to leave Liverpool for their bitter rivals Manchester United at the end of the season.

Current United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar is set to retire at the end of the season and manager Sir Alex Ferguson will likely be in the market for a replacement. Sports betting markets have made Reina the favourite to replace the Dutch keeper, and Ferguson is a known admirer of his talents.

Having seen fellow Spanish international Fernando Torres leave the club during the transfer window, Reina admits he is far from happy at Anfield and is tempted by a move away from the club.

“Yes, well Van der Sar will hang up his gloves in the summer so of course they are looking,” Reina told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“I can’t do anything. I can’t say anything logically as I have a contract with Liverpool.

“Of course one likes to fight for titles and be in a team that does that. We always fought to be in the Champions League and try to win the title.”

The Spanish goalkeeper has become disillusioned over the past two seasons at Liverpool as the club continue to struggle for a place in the Champions League. Having expressed a desire to compete in Europe’s top club competition again, Reina looks set to follow Torres out of the door this summer.

Goalkeeper worries the main flaw in Arsenal’s plan

Ask any Arsenal fan where they would most like Arsene Wenger to strengthen and I bet goalkeeper would be top of most of their lists.

The Gunners do have three keepers on their books – Manuel Almunia, Lukas Fabianski and Wojciech Szczesny – but the first two have made big mistakes in key games (Fabianski most notably in the Champions league last season) and 20-year-old Szczesny is still inexperienced at this level.

Fulham stopper Mark Schwarzer was heavily linked with the club over the summer and was believed to be close to sealing a move on transfer deadline day in August.

But Wenger’s well known reluctance to splash the cash meant a £3million transfer broke down and the Australian promptly signed a new contract with the Cottagers.

The failure to land Schwarzer irked the supporters, frustrated both at the club’s lack of trophies in recent years as well as Wenger’s refusal to spend money, even when the club is crying out for re-enforcements.

That decision has come into focus again with the news that Fabianski – who had established himself as number one – will miss the rest of the season following surgery on a shoulder injury.

Wenger has confirmed that rookie Szczesny will take Fabianski’s place but with two massive games against Barcelona in the Champions League coming up as well as crucial league matches; will the youngster be able to cope?

All too often in recent season’s Wenger’s young side have got themselves into decent positions both in league and cup but fallen down when it matters. The Champions League betting already indicated it would be hard enough for them to get past Barcelona, and their goalkeeping problems will only make things more tricky.

Many believe it is a lack of leadership and knowhow in the moments that matter that have cost them.

By going into the Barca game with a 20-year-old keeper, I fear the same is going to happen again.