I think Andy King will be seen as a special case and rightly so. He will have a spot in the squad for as long as wants, and is good/fit enough.
Just because he's been here a long time doesn't give him a divine right to be in the squad. Favouritism is the start of a very slippery slope. The squad has to be based on players' abilities.
There are other ways of recognising Andy King's achievements other than keeping him in the squad ... our owners are pretty hard headed businessmen and that squad place will be required for Puel and his stated mission of bringing in players that will improve us - might retire a particular shirt number or something in future - could see Kingy going to a good Championship team with promotion prospects in the summer
And my post finishes ' and is good/fit enough'. I don't believe the club will ever sell him unless he requests it. King will be the next Birch.
Reports this evening that Brighton are interested in signing King, our response is that we want to keep him but would consider a loan deal.
A bit of a slur on post boxes, Ed. He is fine if he is slotted into a team that is made up of our other 10 best players, but doesn't have the ability to make things happen if he is the one who has to create going forwards or shore up the defensive side of midfield. I'd never accuse him of ever giving less than his best, but I just don't think he is Premiership quality.
Fully agree. He is a great bloke, proved by each time I have met him at the training ground, he has a lot of time for the fans. But for a central midfield player, he disappears for vasts amounts of time during a game. He is better when we play 3 in the middle of midfield, but as a 2, he is non existent.
I wonder there he has any interest in coaching and whether he’d be any good at that. He may not be the most talented player (or we have outgrown him more so) but he seems intelligent and maybe could pass on some of the qualities he no doubt does possess to younger players. He’s a good example of a goal scoring midfielder if we was working with maybe more talented individuals
He's only 29 so I'd imagine even if he has an interest or desire to go into coaching he'd consider that's a good few years away.
I know he’s a way off. Player coach maybe. Just thinking to be of better use round the club if he won’t play much
So basically a coaching role then..."Kingy we'd like to offer you a player/coaching role, without the playing part"
It’s that or get rid for me. Not good enough for the way we’ve grown imo. Just seems he’s wasted atm but it’d be a shame to lose the lad whose been part of so much for the club
In this day and age of players only going where the money is and being accused of no commitment to clubs I'm a little taken aback at the lack of appreciation for a player who has given everything for the club without appearing to ask for much at all. As we all know the only player to win the top three leagues with one club, that alone suggests cult status for me. I wasn't saying he has a divine right to a spot in the 11 or even on the bench but as a squad player that can pass on his experience and be ready to be called upon when required he is perfect and I hope he stays.
If he were at another club, would you, as a Leicester City owner of a club in 7th place in the world's toughest league who would be paying his wages, go and buy him? Would he improve the squad? Is he the sort of player who could take us forward? Like I said, I think he always gives his best. I've no idea what sort of wages he is on, but why keep paying a player who really doesn't fit our current league position? I know it seems harsh, but this is a competitive game and he could probably get a decent wage (certainly more than the majority of the fans are getting!) and more game time at a slightly lower level. Otherwise he becomes another one of those players just in it for the money.
All teams need depth and you won’t get many better 4th choice CMs who are happy not to play regularly
I've no problem if he wants to move to find regular football, but don't think it will be in the prem tbh, don't see him being a regular at Brighton until they are relegated, and then he'd be on less wages than hes probably making here. Can't fault his commitment when he does play, but if we want to continue to evolve, we need to improve everywhere, even the bench. I couldn't make a case for him to start over any of the other 4 midfielders we have.
Personally would be mildly sad if he left. I wouldnt pick him in a first XI and would struggle to get him on the bench for some games. But this is the guy who started the great escape with his goal against WHU. We wouldnt have won the Prem if we had not gained the momentum in the last few games of that season. Sometimes you have one person who links different factions of people together - seems to me that AK is respected by all at the club and may be worth his weight in gold off the pitch. Oh - and please dont tell me there is no sentiment in football - cos I understand that - I am just a sentimental guy.
King is always a good option to bring on to close games down. That was his main role during the title winning season While yes we have alot more depth in midfield I still think King has a role
