Obviously this is fantastic news although a 5 and half year deal is very long for a player who is attracting interest from other clubs who no doubt would pay higher wages. I dont think this makes a huge difference as to whether or not Shawx may move in the future (although it would appear that he isnt going anywhere in Jan or this Summer), Stoke have wisely just protected the value of one of their key assets.
I wonder how much of this was to inflate his price? Also I wonder what clauses he has had written into his contract as regards big club offers etc. Only time will tell and I'm made up he has signed!
Contracts aren't worth what they used to be but what it does mean is that suitors will have to pay big money to get him.
Even if we sold him for stupid money, who would we get in to replace him? Don't know much about foreign leagues but from the Prem there's only really Cahill and Jagielka who I rate at the same sort of level, and I reckon they would command an equally massive price tag.
I agree, but he also not as good as the older players and doesnt IMO to seem to be improving. If anything he is not as good as he was 2 seasons ago. I cant see any top 4 team coming in for him to be honest and so I dont think he will leave (unless he starts to dramatically improve).. He is a very very good defender, but he lacks in other areas which are the areas needed to play at a higher level.
To my mind there are two distinct types of centre half. The footballing type, say Rio Ferdinand, (when he was fit, yea I know!!!) Jonathan Woodgate, perhaps Cahill - umpteen Italians and of course Neil Franklin The old fashioned, stopper as exemplified by John Terry and Ryan. Any team needs both, including International teams. Think back at some of the pairings, OK we are different, both good old stoppers in Ryan and Robert. But I honestly thought that Ryan would develop into a Rio!!! Just my opinion
Waddo, I won't say I told you all Ryan was going NOWHERE! Remember I said " I let Ryan out of the Player's car park after the Liverpool game"? We had a wee chat too! Only a minute or so but.. hehe GREAT NEWS! is this.
Potts I bet it was your charismatic charm and devotion to Stoke City as a club that swayed his decision to stay
Nay Nicky, I was waiting an age by the club shop re car park after the game (Liverpool) We crawled along (which is the norm these days) and the wife saw Ryan waiting to leave the player's car park. So, I waved him out and we had stood for a min or 3 chocka block going nowhere. He got out of his car and came to thank me, He said quote. "Thanks a million, and thanks for the support tonight hope you enjoyed the game" I then said "No problem Ryan well played" I noticed that he had (I assume his wife and a child on board his range rover and I said. "Don't want to keep you Ryan but any chance you (might) be leaving this Jan" As not one car had moved in this time he said quote. " Will have to dash we have a youngster at home" "But no I won't, can't talk about private stuff but I'm not going anywhere" " I love the fans you have been fantastic, and always supported me, the club. And the other player's are brilliant" Thanks again, see you at the next game". THAT is when I knew we would not be selling Ryan. And, the wife can back me up, his wife waved to us as they pulled over into the right hand lane on the A500.
