The Irishman looked to have found a cracking little relationship at Aston VIlla, but a new man in charge has soured relations some what. Richard could well be looking for a new love in his life as his time at Villa Park looks to be coming to an unhappy end. I've got you big man, don't worry...
Richard Dunne - Aston Villa
At times during his career big Rich has been one of the biggest catches around. He has been rated as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, certainly during his spell at Manchester City when he won the club's Player of the Year award four years in a row between 2004 and 2008. By winning the fourth gong he became the first player in the club's history to win four Player of the Year awards, an impressive achievement at a club steeped in history. Richard started his career at Everton way back in 1996 where he impressed from an early age but reported attitude problems meant he had to move away from Goodison Park. Maybe he wasn't ready for a mature relationship at such a tender age, so he moved on to Man. City for £3 million. Relations didn't start perfectly and it took him about three years to get a set spot in the first team, but when he did he really proved his worth, winning the aforementioned awards. Like earlier in his career though, it was outside factors that spoiled his relationship, Rich being a victim of the new investors at City looking for glamorous names. Gary Cook, Chief Exec of City once said, "Richard Dunne doesn’t roll off the tongue in Beijing" as he was talking about breaking the Asian market. So as being the best defender at the club wasn't enough to keep the suits happy, it was time for him to move on and join Martin O'Neill's revolution at Aston Villa. It was all going swimmingly at Villa Park, as Rich and James Collins at the heart of the defence were helping to push the Villains towards the Champions League. O'Neill left though and his replacement Gerard Houllier arrived and immediately fell out with our man, as he has with a few other members of the Villa squad, apparently telling Richard that he is fourth choice centre-back. Shocking! So it looks like off-field events once more have Rich back on the dating scene, so let's get him back off it right away...
Sunderland???
Steve Bruce being a no nonsense kind of centre-back in his playing days himself will be as likely as any to appreciate Big Rich's style of play. The Black Cat's defence has been impressively solid this season so far, but both John Mensah and Nedum Onouha are on loan and may well be gone at the end of the season. Titus Bramble has been surprisingly effective, but there wouldn't be too many people who would pick him over Richard. Sunderland seem to be a team on the up at the minute as well as they are serious contenders for a Europa League spot this season, so although being pushed out of Villa Park, it would still be an upward move for Rich. At 31 years old he still has three or four more quality years in him at centre-back and he just wants to play regular football at a club where he feels wanted. This could certainly be fulfilled with the Mackems, and if Michael Turner does come through as a strong Premier League defender then that could be a very handy central defensive partnership indeed. Could there be (Stadium of) Light at the end of the relationship troubles tunnel for our Rich???
West Ham United???
They may well be bottom of the table (at the time of writing) but the Hammers are not nailed on for relegation just yet. Their defence is a big worry, but they are looking to remedy this as they have brought Wally Downes in as defensive coach and are well on the way to bringing in Wayne Bridge at left-back. The addition of Richard as well would create the basis of a decent Premier League defence. There is talk though that West Ham's wage bill is already way out of control and they might not be able to shell out too much on experienced, expensive players. However, if they really do want to stay in the division then they are going to have to improve, so a gamble may well have to be taken. Rich has never played down south, but I'm sure the move wouldn't be an issue for him, the real issue is where he sees the club going. If Avram Grant can convince him that the club's future is in the top division and they will be moving up the league in the coming years then Rich could well be tempted to Upton Park. Could it be Hammer time for Rich???
West Bromwich Albion???
It's been an up and down return to the Premier League for the Baggies who are used to being up and down between divisions in the last few years. They started off very positively and have impressed with their attractive, passing game that has been too much for some sides they have faced. However, they have come unstuck in recent weeks and problems at both ends of the pitch have been highlighted. Their midfield is easily the best part of the team, but the goal scoring duties are almost entirely placed on Peter Odemwingie and at the back they are inexperienced and have suffered quite a bad injury crisis. What they could do with is an experienced head at the back to steady the ship and guide them through the rest of the season. They have Scott Carson as captain in goal, but he's hardly an inspirational figure and is prone to errors on a regular basis. The Baggies are clearly looking to improve in quality as they have been strongly linked with another Villa misfit John Carew, and if they signed both Rich and the big Norwegian, they will be improved sufficiently in both their problem areas to keep them up. The close proximity to his current club could also be a plus for Big Rich. Is it a Dunne deal at The Hawthorns???
So who's got the luck to get this particular Irishman in over January???
Richard has had an excellent career, spending it entirely in the Premier League and being currently 31st on the list of all time Premier League appearances. He certainly has his downfalls including receiving the equal most red cards in PL history with 8, alongside Duncan Ferguson and Patrick Vieira. However, he is undoubtedly still a very capable Premier Leauge defender and is likely to be for a few years to come. As Villa paid £5m for Rich, they couldn't expect to recoup anything like that amount after dropping him and admitting he is well down the pecking order, so he wouldn't be an expensive option for anyone. What I think Richard really wants is regular football and to be a well respected, important member of the team. At all three of the options I've suggested I think he would get this, but I'm going to match Richard up with West Brom this afternoon. I think under Roberto Di Matteo the Baggies have the potential to be a really strong side in the top division, but they need one or two additions to make this happen. Richard would be an extremely useful one of these additions and could just be the key to keeping them up and pushing on in coming seasons. So don't worry Rich, your heart does belong in the midlands, it just happens to be down the road at the Hawthorns.
Here's some videos of the great man, an added treat for matchmaker fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRGlRhmFE3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXIIR6Fhs04
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