Down in the Championship Harry Redknapp and his potential signings are the talk of the town. Yes Ashley Cole, Stewart Downing and Robbie Keane are Harry’s top three targets as he tries to get Birmingham City back in the Premier League. While they may be ‘triffic players it is important to remember they have a combined age of over 100. So before we all dismiss these ‘proper players’ as being well past their shelf life lets see what they’ve been up to in recent years.
Stewart Downing was playing in the Premier League as recently as last season for a Middlesbrough side that ultimately got relegated. As a Middlesbrough fan I’ve always liked Downing, he’s from the area and had an excellent first spell at the club. His second spell has been very disappointing however. After a pretty average season in the Championship, Downing was actively bad in the Premier League. His pace has gone and his crossing seems to have gotten worse. Add the fact that he was clearly a negative influence on the dressing room its no wonder new boss Garry Monk has told him he can leave. Birmingham should be steering well clear.
Ashley Cole and Robbie Keane meanwhile have been plying their trade in MLS in recent years. This is usually a textbook sign that a player is past their best and while Cole was arguably the best left back in the world a few years ago I think Harry should be looking to the future not the past. Bare in mind he has already tried to sign John Terry this summer, although he chose Aston Villa. Birmingham City will certainly be an interesting proposition next season regardless.
Derby County seem to be raiding Hull City for players this summer. Curtis Davies went earlier in the summer and now Tom Huddlestone has returned home to Derby as well. Hull once again look like they will be very short on players at the start of the season and Michael Dawson seems to be the only senior centre back they have at the club as well. To add to all this uncertainty it seems as though Andrew Robertson will be leaving as well.
Elsewhere we might as well talk about the mighty Middlesbrough who have pulled off somewhat of a coup signing Toulouse captain Martin Braithwaite. The club are also in talks to sign Britt Assombalonga for a club record fee as well so its exciting times for Boro fans.