If he's got 4 years left then it sounds like a bad bit of business to me. No brainer - too old, cost too much, no resale value. Were still a business chaps. Avoid.
IMHO Given has been the best keeper in the Prem over the last 10 years. Yes, Hart is developing into a world class keeper but he has only graced the Prem for the last 2-3 years. Fridel and Reina are the only other keepers with anywhere near the same consistency and experience as Given. We would be very lucky to get him. Top keepers only come into their prime in their early to mid 30s, and are well capable of playing to a high level until 40. Foster, Robinson, Green etc etc are nowhere near the same class as Given.
I'm only a mere 34 but cant play in goal anymore because I like my ribs where they are. The floor doesn't Both our keepers already have bad backs, if we carry on like this then we will be sponsered by dignitas soon.
Good keeper but too old and a bit too small for me. Hes not going to leave for the security of a long contract to come here for a year. Over 30s should only have a 1 year contract, possibly 2 at a stretch.
Great, another conundrum! I thought we should have gone for Given before the beginning of last season and was slated. Admittedly Paddy did a whole lot better for us than I believed possible so I wasn't as adamant that we needed to replace him for the last campaign. However, a few games aside, he's not been that good in the Premiership and I think Given is still the better keeper. I hear what you are saying about his age though, not exactly a long term solution at 36. Is the problem that being a goal keeper just isn't sexy enough for young players? If you were the lanky kid at school you were stuck in goal. Seeing the likes of Crouch playing out field must make the taller kids think they could do the same rather than staying between the sticks like they always used to.
Ben Foster, Ben Hamer, Jack Butland would all be worth a punt and probably less risky than Given who has had one or two injuries in the last couple of seasons...
