Anton Ferdinand to Birmingham/West Ham ?

Sunderland Centre-back interests Birmingham & West Ham

Sunderland centre-back Anton Ferdinand is attracting the attention of relegated clubs Birmingham City and West Ham United and could be available for little over £3million. It is not known whether the defender, 26, would be interested in moving down to the Championship to play for either side.

It is rumoured though that Ferdinand has been unsettled after Sunderland bought former Manchester United defensive duo John O’Shea and Wes Brown and could fear for his place in the Sunderland side despite playing in the majority of the Black Cats’ games last season.

Birmingham City are interested in Ferdinand’s services after losing defensive stalwart Roger Johnson to Wolves for £7million a few days ago. Sources claim that Chris Hughton has identified Ferdinand as an ideal candidate to fill the void left by Johnson.

West Ham, on the other hand, could be interested in Ferdinand to replace Matthew Upson who left the club after his contract expired following the side’s relegation to the Championship. It is likely that Ferdinand will be more open to a move to Upton Park after spending a large proportion of his career in East London as he is a product of the Hammers’ youth academy.

Steve Bruce is likely to be keen to keep hold of Ferdinand who, at 26, has plenty of more seasons left in him. A fee as little as £3million has been purported by some sources but it would not be a surprise if at least double this is required to prise the defender from the Stadium of Light.

http://www.footybunker.com/sunderland-centre-back-interests-birmingham-and-west-ham/7788

 

is this the same site that reported we were trying to sign robbie keane yesterday? I wouldn't sell anton unless we bring in a cb who would go straight into the first team, a jonny evans for example.

 

The 1st paragraph says it all, what a bunch of lazy ****ers.

 

I can see him going back to West Ham, his boyhood team, regular football so would not blame the lad.

 

I hope not Syd: I really have a feeling that we will see the best of Anton this season.

 

just cant see him getting a game MrRAW, bardo,brown and oshea I would have thought will be first choice with bramble and turner after the 4th spot.

mind i know nowt so could be well out.

 

I think that was the consensus last season and he started nearly 30 games. I can see him being needed a lot, again. Not being all doom and gloom but I think Brown will miss a fair share of games through 'little niggles' and bramble and turner will also have there injury problems. We need cover at the back and anton is very good to have at safc. I just hope bruce is man enough to play his strongest centre back pairing in Turner and Bramble and Brown and O'shea don't get picked ahead of them unless they are earning it. I think Brown will be our new Mensah, he'll play 15 or so games when he's fit. My back 4 for Liverpool if everyone is fit.

O'shea.......Turner.....Bramble.....Bardsley

 

I don't know why, but I just have a feeling that this season Anton is going to come into his own. I think that he has always had the ability, but sometimes his attitude and concentration let him down. Towards the end of last season, I sensed a change in him (perhaps he has at last grown up) and this is going to be a big year for the lad..

 

Footballers these days get a lot of stick but you have to commend Anton and Bardlsey for their terrific attitude. They were all but told they weren't in bruce plans but they stuck in and worked extremely hard and both for me had good seasons.

 

Although Anton looked like he was on his way last season,whenever he came into the side he gave his all wherever he was asked to play.Keep him I say.

 

I must say I wouldn't be too disappointed to see him go, I'd imagine being one of Keanos signings he will be on a good wage.
Out of interest has Upson signed for anyone yet?

 

I think you miss my point, I too like Anton and hope he stays, for Sunderland. The problem I have is when I ask whats right for Anton, he wont, IMO, be first choice and I think he deserves to be first choice somewhere.

O'shea for me is a certain starter along with Bardo. Brown we have given this Mr injury prone image, is he really a Mensah mk 2, I dont think he is. We know that Bruce rates Turner and Bramble so that puts Anton 6th choice.

 

Personally hope this stories true. Never rated him and it would be a big expense off the SAFC books and who knows who that money could be put towards. Bruce has made it clear he needs to offload 3-4 players to reduce spend, I think if this is done we may still see a marquee striker. Ferdinand is a try hard but not a skilful one, if he's after regular 1st team football, I'd say the championship is about his level.

 

How long have we all been saying that though RAW? It's time to move him on he's far too inconsistent, we should have listened to the Hammers fans when they said he was like that.

 

I certainly wouldn't let him go for £3million, he's versatile and he's great cover.

If the lad wanted to go, i wouldn't blame him and i'd wish him well, i could see him going back to West Ham and developing properly.

 

I class Ferdinand and Richardson together as players of ability who have never fulfilled their potential. Sometimes players have to be moved on for their own good to shake them out of whatever mindset they have which is preventing them doing themselves justice.

 

Very fair and true point mate, Anton has on occasion looked absolutely top drawer, on those days when he's on his game nothing goes past him, such a shame he's never managed to keep that level consistently.

Ricco again, so much ability, but he seems to have lost the confidence to run at pace with the ball, and that should be his asset, he's always looking to give the ball, when sometimes you wanna see him head down and run at people.

 

I've never rated Ferdinand and Richardson. I wouldn't be sorry to see either of them go but i do commend them for the excellent attitide they've shown throughout their time here. Richardson may still a little remaining use due to his left footedness (footedness?).

 

He won't come back to west ham we haven't got 3 mil to be spending on a centre back who was never really successful in his first spell at the club couldn't believe we got 8 mil for him but I guess that's kean's spending. I could see George McCartney coming to west ham though.

 

Take him mate, please.