Shay Given

Since the young age of 16, Shay Given had attracted the attention of Manchester United but despite having the chance of joining one of the most highly-rated clubs of the entire English Premier League, the Irish shot-stopper opted to instead make a move to Celtic.

When it comes to having superstar goal-keepers, Manchester United have been extremely lucky after being able to keep hold of Edwin van der Sar for 6 years as he joined on 2005 until 2011 and the English outfit would later sign David de Gea.

Shay Given opines that West Ham first choice keeper Joe Hart is repaying the faith in him by Gareth Southgate. Ahead of England’s planned friendly games against Germany and Brazil, the Three Lions manager named Hart, Stoke City keeper Jack Butland and Everton’s shot stopper Jordan Pickford as goalkeepers. Butland later withdrew so Hart and Pickford are expected in between the sticks.

Given says the situation proves that Hart remains the first choice keeper for England. The Manchester City loanee has struggled at the London Stadium this term with his employers West Ham. However, the 30-year old player with 74 caps remains the key man for England in goal.

At the end of the 2016-17 season of the English Premier League, Shay Given was released from Stoke City and so far, the veteran player is a free agent but he is rumored to be on edging closer towards the tier 2 division English League Championship.

The head coach of Burnley, Sean Dyche is believed to be interested in adding to his squad another goal-keeper which can extend the depth of his squad as well as have another shot-stopper who can be utilized as back-up option for matches and Cup games.

Shay Given is 41 years old but the Irish player still wants to continue performing as he said: “Yes I am 41, but I do feel I could go on for another year, be it as a number two or three in the Premier League, or number one in the Championship. There might be one last hurrah, a promotion, it just depends what is out there. I have no divine right to get a club but if someone came along and it was of interest, it might happen”

After 2 seasons in Stoke City, Shay Given´s relationship with the English Premier League club has reached it´s end.

For the majority of his time spent at the 365 stadium, the Irish shot-stopper has had to serve as a substitute goal-keeper with only a few limited appearances being made every once in a while.

The question that is beginning to rise now is in relation to the future of the 41 year old shot-stopper and the English Championship League club Burnley is turning into a realistic football destination that he might join in the next few weeks or days.

According to recent rumors and reports, the head coach of Burnley Sean Dyche is interested in signing the free agent Shay Given who was released from Stoke City at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Tom Heaton is the main shot-stopper of Burnley but the arrival of a new goal-keeper such as Shay Given can give a wealth of experience to the team of Sean Dyche as well as boost his squad depth.

For the past few weeks, it has been rumored that Chelsea was interested in securing the services of Sergio Aguero as the Argentinean attacker continues to score goals on a consistent basis.

During the 2016-17 season of the English Premier League, Aguero found the back of the net on 20 occasions in 31 matches while the previous season before that, the Argentinean forward made his mark on 24 goals.

When it comes to scoring goals on a regular fashion, Aguero has certainly found the way to make it happen, at least with Manchester City.

Chelsea has recently been on the hunt for a player who can reliably score goals and Sergio Aguero for the longest of times has been one of their priority summer targets but taking into consideration that Chelsea has offloaded around £70 millionin luring Real Madrid´s Alvaro Morata to Stamford Bridge, it´s possible that Sergio Aguero is not in their radar anymore.

Antonio Conte was eager to find a replacement for Diego Costa who appears to be on his way out of Stamford Bridge and the Italian manager decided to bring in Alvaro Morata which means that Sergio Aguero is not such a big target or needed player anymore for Chelsea.

Former Newcastle United keeper Shay Given has revealed his plan to remain in the second tier of English football following his release by Stoke City.

The free agent is a target for Queen Park Rangers. He is matured but says he still has something to offer any team in the division.

Given says he can play for at least another season as a first choice keeper in the Championship or a second or third choice keeper in the Premier League. He says there are a few options but if the deal does not happen he would not mop around.

The keeper led the tributes for fallen star ChieckTiote. The former Magpies star died at the age of 30 after a training session in China. He had spent almost seven years at Tyneside before he moved to Beijing Enterprises last February.

Current and past Newcastle players sent their tributes as the Ivory Coast was laid to rest. Rep of Ireland man Given revealed he was shocked and saddened by the news, sending his condolences to the player’s friends and families.
Others like Joey Barton, Tim Krul, Rob Elliot, Peter Beardsley and the rest sent their moving tribute as the football community is shocked by the death of the player.

The death of the player was not linked to Ramadan which required Muslims to fast. The club said he just suddenly fainted but there are no further details yet on the exact cause of death.

Championship side Newcastle United are seeking promotion to the Premier League under Coach Rafa Benitezthis season.

The former Liverpool boss has pushed out a lot of former players while bringing many others. However, there is a one that has the potential for something greater even though he is not getting that much attention at the moment; he is Freddie Woodman.

Woodman frustrated Pedro Caixinha’s team when they met last week, showing signs of what he could do. His reflex, swiftness and confidence in goal were crucial for Kilmarnock as they faced Rangers. The 20-year old goalkeeper seems like one that would go far with the right motivation and grooming.

The shot stopper is a regular in the England set-up in the age grade teams. He has played in every level from the Under 16 to Under 21. As the Magpies push back to the top flight, it would be a career boost if Benitez can bring the loaned out player back to the side as an assistant keeper to first choice Karl Darlow.

Woodman seems ready to make the big move, even ahead of Tim Krul and Rob Elliot who currently get the chance. The injuries of recent have affected Elliot even though he remains quite popular among the fans’. In addition, Krul has struggled at Ajax and Alkmaar.

The English keeper is deserving of the ranks when United return to compete with the big boys next season. He really has the potential to be the next Shay Given at St James Park.

The 40 year old Irish goalkeeper of Stoke City, Shay Given kicked off the 2016 season of the Premier League in a positive fashion as he was the first choice shot-stopper of Mark Hughes but the manager of Stoke City opted to drop Shay Given to the sidelines and Lee Grant is taking the center stage.

Shay Given has already retired from performing at the international stage and he wants to focus the remaining years of his career with Stoke City but taking into consideration that the Irish shot-stopper has had to settle with a place on the bench for over 4 months is something that has really hampered what might be one of his final seasons as a top player in what is generally considered to be as one of the most competitive leagues in the entire world of football.

“Personally, I’m disappointed, because I was playing and the manager made a decision to change it, but I’ll support Lee and all he does. Nothing changes. You’re still working together and you’re still trying to get in the team, but Lee’s come in and done fantastically well’’

“I’ve just come off the training pitch and I’m diving around like I’m still 19. I don’t think I’ll ever lose that.I love playing football and love the time with the lads. I know I haven’t got loads of time left to enjoy that, so every day you enjoy it even more. You’re happy to be alive when you get to my age! But no, I’m at that stage of my career where I’m coming to the tail end and you enjoy every training session and enjoy the group as well. It’s a great group of lads.”

This was the statement released by Stoke City’s Shay Given as the experienced goal-keeper said that he wants to get back into the pitch and take the position away from Lee Grant and that he is working hard to make it possible but things just have not been working out for him.

Veteran goalkeeper Shay Given has hailed the touchline antics of Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.

Given praised Conte for his energetic style as Blues coach, breathing fresh air into the team after their slump last term. Given, who plays for Premier League side Stoke City, reckons that Conte’s “madman” display has been refreshing to watch since his move to Stamford Bridge.

“It’s refreshing to see him down the touchline like a madman. Conte’s come in and done a great job,” Given opined. The 40-year old former Irish international disclosed that many people doubted the Italian due to the slow start before the team eventually picked up.

“He made a little bit of a slow start and I think people were questioning ‘does he know the Premier League?’ But now we’re talking about one of the favourites for the title,” Given added.

Given is one of the veterans with over 20 years experience in the Premier League since his days with Blackburn in 1994. Given started with Celtic youth team before his move to Blackburn. Given spent time on loan at Swindon Town and Sunderland before he eventually moved to Newcastle. Given remained with the Magpies from 1997 until he joined City at the Etihad in 2009. He played for Aston Villa and Middlesbrough before his switch to Stoke in the 2015/16 season.

“He’s sharp, got to learn the Premier League and it’s refreshing to see him down the touchline like a madman because he’s brought real character as well. It’s going to be an interesting race,” Given added about Conte and the race for the Premier League.

Chelsea have continued their recent winning streak, extending it to eight with their 3-1 victory over Manchester City during the weekend. They remain top of the standings, with Arsenal trailing behind in second place.

Stoke City goalkeeper Shay Given said that he knows nobody that works harder than his former Newcastle teammate, Fraser Foster.

Given claims that the player gives his all in training, tipping the shot stopper to usurp Three Lions No. 1 Joe Hart with time. The Southampton man just recovered from a knee injury but he has quickly regained full fitness.

Given and Forster trained together during their time at Newcastle. He revealed that the development of the player surprised staff on Tyneside a bit.

“I worked with him for a few years at and he was nearly too big. He was like 6 ft 5 in at 16 [years old] basically and we looked at him like, ‘is he too big?’ He was a bit clumsy with his feet and he was heavy-footed,” Given revealed to BBC 5 live.

“I don’t know anybody who works harder than Fraser Forster every day in training; not just that, in the gym and stuff [too].”
The 28-year-old player is a reliable hand for Claude Puel’s side. Since starting his career at Newcastle, he has spent time on loan at Stockport County and Bristol Rovers before his Southampton deal. Given believes the talented and hardworking player can be the country’s No.1 anytime soon.

“He’s proved to so many people how good a goalkeeper he really is,” claimed Given. “He played against Barcelona a few years ago for Celtic and the Barcelona media were calling him the human wall,” Given said hailing the English player.

“He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and he’s pushing Joe really hard. You’re only as good as your last game for your country and to be fair to Joe, he was Man of the Match in his last game, so Fraser might just be waiting a bit longer,” Given added.