Possibly the most popular candidate for some matchmaking so far is this plucky Irishman, who has quite spectacularly fallen out of love with his club. I suppose Shay has learnt the hard way that if you ditch your girl for a rich "sugar mama" they're always prone to run off with a younger model.
Shay Given - Manchester City
Unsurprisingly it is Manchester City who are the first team to feature twice on the matchmaker as the side who have treated there men badly. The machine-like accumulation of footballing talent that has gone on at Eastlands, just as it did at Stamford Bridge not so long ago, was always going to leave some casualties. What is slightly odd is that Shay (like Santa Cruz who I matchmade before) were both brought in since the investment, and are still deemed surplus to requirements. Although some were seen as mercenaries when they joined the City revolution, there was little or no bad feeling going the way of Shay. He had been keeping Newcastle in games with consistantly excellent performances for over ten years, but seeing the way the club was going, probably being sick of having to try and organise the likes of Bramble and Boumsong and wanting to add trophies to his career he decided to move on. Man. City were lacking an established 'keeper and it seemed the perfect place to go and finish his career in style. However, the emergence of Joe Hart has ruined Shay's time in Manchester and he is resigned to the bench, probably being the best number 2 'keeper around in world football. We all know he's too good for this, he needs a new love and I'm going to find it for him. Come on Shay, we're going on the pull!
Arsenal?????
Arsene Wenger has proved to be a very stubborn man in his long years in charge of Arsenal over various issues, but one that I'm sure is grating Gunners fans more than most is his refusal to buy a top keeper. It's bad enough that he assembles indecisive central defenders (Koscielny especially does not look up to it) but putting a dodgy, flappy keeper behind them is just asking for trouble. Yes Fabianski and Almunia have put in good performances for Arsenal, but nowhere near consistantly enough and their mistakes have not just cost them consolation goals, but serious goals and therefore serious points. Wenger was seemingly trying to address the situation as he made bids for Mark Schwarzer in the summer that were rejected, if Shay is available then its time Arsene sent him some flirty texts and got him well and truly confirmed as the Number 1 at the Emirates.
Manchester United?????
Unlike the inconsistant performers between the sticks at the Emirates that I mentioned, Edwin van der Saar is a model of consistancy and has been throughout his career. He does have the added bonus of playing behind an exceptional defence at Old Trafford, but still he makes the saves and catches on an incredibly regular basis. Unfortunately for Sir Alex though, Big Ed is 40 years old and will be calling time on his illustrious career very shortly. They have recently signed Danish keeper Anders Lindegaard, but the jury is out as to whether he will go straight in at number 1 at Old Trafford. If Sir Alex is looking for a safe pair of hands to take over from van der Saar immediately then Shay is definately his man. It would also be a big bonus for United fans if Shay was to prove Mancini wrong by recapturing his form and performing at his best on the red side of Manchester. Will Shay cause a stir and run off with the girl next door?
Celtic?????
This is an interesting option for Shay if he was to choose a move north of the border. He would be guaranteed the number 1 jersey for as long as he could still walk and breath if he went to Celtic Park, the madness that ensued when Robbie Keane went there on loan would, I'm sure be repeated if Shay made the same journey. The opportunity for guaranteed action and being idolised by the fans might be just what Shay needs after his prolonged sit down on the City bench. However, he may well also consider it a step down in quality that he doesn't need or want to take just yet in his career. He is now 34, but that's not old for a 'keeper by any stretch, and if he does want the perks that would come with a move to Celtic, he might want to leave it a year or two yet.
So who's bought Shay a guiness and stroking his leg under the table????
The quality of the sides that I have put on offer for Shay shows how desperately he needs this matchmaking. There is no way that a goalkeeper of his class, with over 100 caps for his country should be sitting in a dugout anywhere, especially in his early to mid thirties when he should be at his peak. You get the impression that he is not the sort of character to happily sit out matches content with picking up his pay cheque (however enormous it is) at the end of the week, so may well push for a move in January. I originally started writing with every intention of fixing Shay up with the boys at the Emirates, but I'm going to do an about turn on this one and match make him with Manchester United. Fergie, I'm sure will want experience to take over from van der Saar and Shay perfectly fits the bill. Also the chance for both Sir Alex and Shay to put two fingers up to City will be too good an opportunity to turn down. Will there be a very local fling in January? Let's hope so.
City fans, do you think it's right Shay has been left out of so much football?
Man U fans, is he the right replacement for Edwin?
Everyone else stake their claim for Shay, I'm sure most clubs would love to have him
By jove we'd like him in the Emirates. yes.
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