Shay Given wasted at Manchester City

Manchester City keeper Shay Given is in my opinion one of the best keepers in the Premier League, yet he’s currently only second choice keeper at City.

City are lucky to also have England number one Joe Hart in their squad. Given is now considering a loan switch if he can’t get his place back from Hart.

Loan

Given told the Sunday Times: “It’s very, very frustrating. I know it doesn’t matter what I do on the training pitch, I won’t be playing at the weekend. If I’m flying around like Clark Kent in goals, I still won’t play on Saturday. That can be demoralising,”

Given was believed to be close to a move before the transfer window shut but City vetoed the deal. However Given is not prepared to just sit on the bench.

“The club said I wasn’t going anywhere and that was frustrating,” he continued.

“We’ll see what happens come January and hopefully if the situation’s the same I can go on loan and try and get some games in.

“I’ve never said I want to leave Man City. I believe it’s a big club that in the next couple of years is going to do big things. I want to be part of that but I also want to be playing football.

Waste

The Irishman sitting on the City bench really is a waste of a top quality talent. He should be playing week-in-week out. A move to Arsenal would have been an ideal move. Although City didn’t want to strengthen a club they think of as rivals.

Arsenal and Shay Given are a perfect fit. Arsenal have been in need of a quality keeper for a long time and Given should be playing for a big club. He spent so long at Newcastle winning absolutely nothing.

Given also hasn’t ruled out a loan move abroad. That could be a good option for him. I’m sure he would prove a good signing for most La Liga or Serie A sides. He may even get the chance of winning silverware.

Problem

Given’s situation has become a familiar one at Manchester City in recent years and it’s just going to get worse for players who choose to take their hand of sliver from City. Manchester City now has so many players for each position that lots of top players could find themselves out in the cold.

Craig Bellamy was a good example. He was one of City’s best players last season but has been allowed to join Cardiff City on-loan. Bellamy is a fantastic player, if a bit annoying at times but was just easily discarded.

Manchester City will have real trouble keeping their massive amount of players happy. This could be their downfall. They are striving to be the best but it won’t happen if half of their squad are unhappy. If City wants to be really contenders these are the sort of problems they need to negotiate.

Should Shay Given leave Manchester City?