News and Views
John O'Shea Agrees Move To Reading
07 June 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading have agreed the signing of defender John O'Shea, who will complete his move from Sunderland when his contract expires this summer. O'Shea is Reading third summer signing, and like midfielder David Meyler and full back Andy Yiadom he will also arrive at Reading on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract at his existing club. Thirty-seven year old O'Shea appears to looking for a final chance at Championship level after Sunderland were relegated to League One at the end of the season. He recently retired from International football, playing his last match for the Republic of Ireland last weekend. He played the first 33 minutes to earn his 118th cap for Ireland as they defeated the United States 2-1.
Opinion is split on the signing of a player at the end of his career who has been involved in consecutive relegations with Sunderland. However there is no doubt, as Reading manager Paul Clement points out, that "John has played and won at the very highest level". After retiring from International duty, O'Shea has signed a one year contract at Reading and will be hoping to make a final impact after an impressive career with Manchester United and Sunderland. From 1999 to 2011 he made 256 appearances for United, scoring ten goals, and played in every position for the club. In the summer of 2011 he moved to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee and went on to record a further 226 appearances - the vast majority in the Premier League.
Discussion On This Story:
good one m8Sutekh
Can play anywhere across the back. Brings a wealth of experience at the highest level. At 37 though I can't think even Reading would play him as anything other than cover for defensive positions. If he's a regular from the start then, IMO, we have big problems.
As a free transfer and primarily with a view to step up into a coaching role though? Possibly worth a shot.
As a free transfer and primarily with a view to step up into a coaching role though? Possibly worth a shot.
genome
ha, a known loser who has over 400 prem appearances and 100 internationals. Wish I was as much of a loser as that.
More of a reference to his recent relegations with Sunderland......
Two bad seasons?
Sunderland are a basket case, I would say O'Shea's fault was minimal. In fact, I've read comments from Sunderland fans that he's been their best defender during that time (which is probably damning with faint praise, but whatever)
Stranded
He is seen as a bit of a poster boy for Sunderland's slide, I am not a massive fan of this move as can't overly see the logic but hopefully out of the problem club that is Sunderland we may well see, hopefully not on a regular basis, the player that made so many apperance for Man Utd at a time they were clearly the best team in the country.
John Smith
Easily one of the worst performers in the league last year - a great deal of the goals Sunderland conceded last year were from set pieces where the whole back four were just static. O'Shea was marshaling that. He can't come here.
If this is the level of ambition we are showing then it really won't be long before we're in League One
If this is the level of ambition we are showing then it really won't be long before we're in League One
Only one Trevor Morley
All this fretting is laughable. He is being bought in as a leader and for his personality. Just as Yiadom and I suspect elphick will be. Clement has been very clear he wants more leaders in dressing room.
He’ll be back up and on hand when we need a steady influence. And he gets a chance to develop as a coach. Having experienced Ferguson as a manager.
For one year it’s a no lose move really. Aluko on a 4 year contract is far more concerning!
He’ll be back up and on hand when we need a steady influence. And he gets a chance to develop as a coach. Having experienced Ferguson as a manager.
For one year it’s a no lose move really. Aluko on a 4 year contract is far more concerning!
Anonymous
More of a reference to his recent relegations with Sunderland......
Two bad seasons?
Sunderland are a basket case, I would say O'Shea's fault was minimal. In fact, I've read comments from Sunderland fans that he's been their best defender during that time (which is probably damning with faint praise, but whatever)
More than two.
I have seen him play as I am sure you have, he's well past the level necessary to play in the Championship. Not sure what you have been reading regarding the Sunderland supporters but from what I have seen on social media they appear to be laughing at us. We have an experienced international defender and leader in Paul McShane so why bring in a 37 year old who has been on his way out for the last 5 years? (unless McShane is leaving then the move becomes slightly more understandable). I am not happy about him signing on the count it stifles our youth prospects. Holmes and Andresson should be the ones stepping in to the squad as back up, not John O'Shea.
If he is coming in purely as a coach then I can't knock that too much, he'd be an unknown in that sense so you have to have an open mind on that front.
genome
Two bad seasons?
Sunderland are a basket case, I would say O'Shea's fault was minimal. In fact, I've read comments from Sunderland fans that he's been their best defender during that time (which is probably damning with faint praise, but whatever)
More than two.
I have seen him play as I am sure you have, he's well past the level necessary to play in the Championship. Not sure what you have been reading regarding the Sunderland supporters but from what I have seen on social media they appear to be laughing at us. We have an experienced international defender and leader in Paul McShane so why bring in a 37 year old who has been on his way out for the last 5 years? (unless McShane is leaving then the move becomes slightly more understandable). I am not happy about him signing on the count it stifles our youth prospects. Holmes and Andresson should be the ones stepping in to the squad as back up, not John O'Shea.
If he is coming in purely as a coach then I can't knock that too much, he'd be an unknown in that sense so you have to have an open mind on that front.
I imagine he will be sort of a player-coach, and he probably won't play much. I don't think you can compare Paul McShane to John O'Shea though in terms of experience though... O'Shea has 5 Premier League winners' medals and a Champions League medal.
He's certainly not coming to replace Liam Moore, as some have said
Anonymous
More than two.
I have seen him play as I am sure you have, he's well past the level necessary to play in the Championship. Not sure what you have been reading regarding the Sunderland supporters but from what I have seen on social media they appear to be laughing at us. We have an experienced international defender and leader in Paul McShane so why bring in a 37 year old who has been on his way out for the last 5 years? (unless McShane is leaving then the move becomes slightly more understandable). I am not happy about him signing on the count it stifles our youth prospects. Holmes and Andresson should be the ones stepping in to the squad as back up, not John O'Shea.
If he is coming in purely as a coach then I can't knock that too much, he'd be an unknown in that sense so you have to have an open mind on that front.
He's certainly not coming to replace Liam Moore, as some have said
Yeah I've seen that, seen a few panicking about it. Complete nonsense, Tommy Elphick will be doing that should Moore leave imo.
John Smith
You are aware the transfer window doesn't shut for two months, right?
Are you defending the potential purchase of John O'Shea?
List the teams you think will be likely to be promoted from the Championship next season and ask if John O'Shea would get in their squad, not team. The Championship isn't a league you dwell in, it's a league teams battle to climb out of. Right now we are in absolutely no state to go anywhere.
genome
You are aware the transfer window doesn't shut for two months, right?
Are you defending the potential purchase of John O'Shea?
List the teams you think will be likely to be promoted from the Championship next season and ask if John O'Shea would get in their squad, not team. The Championship isn't a league you dwell in, it's a league teams battle to climb out of. Right now we are in absolutely no state to go anywhere.
Before the 2016/17 season, would you have predicted we'd finish 3rd with 35 year old Yann Kermorgant getting nearly 20 goals?
Cape Town Royal
Found myself thinking of us starting with a central defensive pairing of McShane and O'Shea... did a little shudder...
Agree with the comment about any aspiring promotion team would not have him in their squad...
What happened to Reading signing aspiring young hungry players like Kitson, Doyle, Long, Sidwell, Shorey, Harper etc...
Surely last season showed that we need to inject hunger, pace and desire into the team.. Signing O'Shea on a player contract does the exact opposite to me..
As a coach who knows? Can't really recall hearing him speak so no idea what kind of communicator he is, but as a player for me its a big no..
Agree with the comment about any aspiring promotion team would not have him in their squad...
What happened to Reading signing aspiring young hungry players like Kitson, Doyle, Long, Sidwell, Shorey, Harper etc...
Surely last season showed that we need to inject hunger, pace and desire into the team.. Signing O'Shea on a player contract does the exact opposite to me..
As a coach who knows? Can't really recall hearing him speak so no idea what kind of communicator he is, but as a player for me its a big no..
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