SHAY GIVEN admitted he is surprised Premier League giants didn’t move for Caoimhin Kelleher – and suggested a possible reason why.
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper signed for Brentford for £18m from Liverpool.
He had been linked with a number of clubs both in England and beyond, but for Thomas Frank‘s side to get the leg up.
The Corkman showed why he is so highly thought of with a couple of big saves in Ireland‘s 1-1 draw with Senegal on Friday night.
Former goalkeeper Shay Given admitted to being surprised that the Bees got to Kelleher ahead of big names.
He told RTE: “He looks the real deal.
“Look at the problems that Man United have. Chelsea, they don’t have a real goalkeeper. Some bigger clubs in the Premier League.”
Both Manchester United and Chelsea have been rumoured to be moving for goalkeepers this summer.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for AC Milan goalie Mike Maignan to replace Robert Sanchez.
Meanwhile, Andre Onana was left out of Ruben Amorim‘s starting XI for their final league game against Aston Villa and could leave the club as part of their summer rebuild.
United have already been busy in the window, with Matheus Cunha joining from Wolves while they are in talks to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
And Given suggested Brentford’s reputation as a ‘selling club’ may have influenced the Premier League big boys moving for Kelleher.
He compared the 26-year-old to Virgil Van Dijk, who went from Celtic to Southampton and, finally, to Liverpool, where he has won two Premier Leagues, the Champions League, among other honours.
He said: “Unless clubs have said, let’s have a look at Brentford.
“We know they’re a selling club. He can be a number one for a year or two and then he can go again, he’s still plenty young enough.
“When you look at a player maybe like Van Dijk in the past.
“When he left Celtic, only Southampton had a go at him before he made that step to Liverpool.
“It’s like the bigger clubs think they have to take a step back before they take a step forward.”
Joining Brentford and becoming their No1 will cement Caoimhin Kelleher‘s place as Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper.
He has played all nine games under Heimir Hallgrimsson amid Gavin Bazunu‘s absence through injury.
And Kelleher admitted that holding onto the Irish jersey factored into his thinking when it came to selecting his next destination.
He told RTE: “I think I’ve played well for Ireland. I think I’ve done well enough to keep the No. 1 position.
“I need to do well to keep it, but no doubt playing week in week out will help my cause for sure.
“It (the transfer) has been a long time coming. Definitely really happy to get it over the line and get it done and loling forward to getting going.”
