Everton and Stoke City are battling it out to rescue Stephen Ireland from his Aston Villa nightmare according to Talksport
The Irishman has had a torrid time since moving to Villa Park from Manchester City in 2010 and has been told he can find himself a new club.
The 26-year-old, who managed just nine Premier League starts last term, is still attracting interest from top flight clubs though, with Everton and Stoke, who are both under new managers, fighting it out to sign him.
New Stoke boss Mark Hughes presided over the most successful spell of Ireland’s career at Manchester City and is believed to be keen on a reunion at the Britannia Stadium.
Ambitious Championship side Brighton are also tracking the midfielder and could make a move of their own within the coming weeks.
you might just be surprised if you get this guy, somebody has got to get a tune out of him again. He has the vision and the touch but at villa it just hasn’t converted into game changing action. He would fit in with Martinez’s passing game for sure (of course I could just be saying this in the desperate hope you take him off our hands)!!!
Haha, I can only recalling having 1 and a half decent seasons in his career and that must have been 6 or 7 years ago
City fan here – completely understand your sentiments. It’s a crying shame, as his firs full season featuring in the first team he was a revelation. As was Michael Johnson, who was lost to injury and booze. They looked to be our best midfield combo in decades, and nothing came of it.
posted to turn email follow up on… ignore
Going Cheap,,, 8 million will secure this Ist Class , Top Flight, much Sought after Professional.
Villa Supporter.!!!!
haha, surely you missed the 1 infront of the 8?
Hang on a minute. The fella is still only 26 – and was voted the Villa fans player of the year the season before last.
Martinez could be the one to get Stephen off the Shisha and back on the ball. I think Stephen Ireland can be whatever he wants to be – he has the talent – does he have the application?
That’s all well and good but that was year we had a certain Scottish manager from the dark side and it was nigh on impossible to pick a player of the year that year. Most fustrating player I know just depends what Ireland comes out the tunnel take him if we get 4 mil even better and get rid of another big earner.
Good luck. UTV
Always liked Stephen Ireland at Manchester City where he was outstanding and by far and away they’re best player at the time, so can’t quite understand why things didn’t work out for him at Villa, especially as he was played in his best position just in front of the midfield. If Roberto can build the lads confidence back up, there’s a ready made place in the Everton side for him and could turn out to be an inspired signing for next to no money.
Ireland’s problem is in his head…
He would struggle in the championship , not good enough for everton football club in my opinion , we need to set our sights higher and let’s get away from bargain basement has beens , sort you head out Roberto this is everton
good, good everybody’s buying into this. Quick get these messages across to Martinez. The price has already gone from 5 to 10 (pounds not millions).
Ireland encapsulaes everything that is wrong with fooball, a millionaire without ever doing much for it, no doubt he has talent the fact that he just cannot be arsed makes it worse really
I’d imagine you’d be able to get him for around a £1m now. Could be a bargain. Low risk.
He is a disgrace…simple, the sooner he has gone the better.
This chrome domed twat has cost Villa about 900 million so far.
He has though been a fine example to all the other players……How not to be a professional footballer.
He is the worst I have ever seen disgrace the shirt.
If I was Lambo I d give him 50 quid and tell him to get himself and his gold plated Bentley out of Villa Park.
Everton….do yourself a favour……avoid