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Joe Ledley says he want to join a club closer to home


BBC

Sunday 5th December 2019

“I want to move back to Cardiff or closer to Cardiff.”

Wales international Joe Ledley is inspired by family and hopes of another Euro dream as he considers the final year of his career.

The 32-year-old is again looking for a club after a one-month contract at Charlton expired.

Cardiff-born Ledley told BBC Sport Wales ideally he would like to find a team close to home.

The well-travelled midfielder also knows he needs regular games to force his way into Wales' Euro 2020 plans.

Ledley played in every game when Wales reached the Euro 2016 semi-final and even though he has not featured for his country since June 2018, he retains international ambitions.

"Of course. I've said it from day one it's just the greatest honour of my career, playing for your country and (having) your nation behind you is the best feeling ever so we'll see what happens," said Ledley.

"I'll never rule it out and I'm sure the manager won't either but it's down to me now to find a club and play as many games as I can. My boy is two, he's into his football and he wants to watch me play for my country and at a club as well."

Family could also play a key role in deciding where Ledley plays next. He made one appearance for Charlton but his spell at Charlton ended following the a 1-0 defeat at Swansea , where he was an unused substitute.

"There are options, but for me I'd like to be closer to home. I've been away - only for a month - and family comes first for me now," Ledley added.

"Everyone's moved back to Cardiff for the first time in nine or 10 years so closer to home would be perfect, but for me it's coming up to the final year so I need to play as many games as I can."

Prior to joining Charlton, Ledley had not played a competitive game since August 2018 when he left Derby hoping to find regular first-team football.

Having returned to live in south Wales, in November he was linked with League Two side Newport County , managed by Mike Flynn.

"Yeah I spoke to Flynnie he's a great guy. We've kept in contact for a while but I don't know if it's possible," Ledley said.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen but he's a great manager. He's very young, he's the sort of manager that I like to work under. It is close to home so I'll speak to him and see what happens.

If Ledley is unable to play his way back into Ryan Giggs' squad over the next five months, he plans to be a spectator for Wales' final Euro 2020 group match against Italy in Rome.

But having watched enviously as his former team-mates beat Hungary to qualify for the finals, he would much rather be in the thick of the action.

"A lot of the boys there, nearly all the boys really, were when I was there. They played remarkably on that day and I was over the moon but you always want to be on that pitch with them and celebrating after the game," said Ledley.

"They're the things you miss and that's why I want to get back into the team and the squad."

As long as it's not here and I cant see it happening

Oh to have him and Whitts in their prime now. Watched a replay of the playoff final this afternoon on Sky, wonderful second goal due to their interplay. Still take him over Marlon Cack.

As long as it's not here and I cant see it happening

Barry

Desperate to play clearly. Obviously sitting comfortably; like our own squad

Newport it is then.

Newport best option

Maybe Bristol Then If Harris Got Not A Single Penny In The January Transfer Window

Too old for Cardiff Met.

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

Barry Town

Enjoy Newport

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

he signed for Charlton. played 45 mins , got subbed and has been an un used substitute ever since..this for a club with 16 injuries and who have dropped down the division like a stone.
you honestly think a sub for Charltons reserves is at the same level as our 1st team players?

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

he signed for Charlton. played 45 mins , got subbed and has been an un used substitute ever since..this for a club with 16 injuries and who have dropped down the division like a stone.
you honestly think a sub for Charltons reserves is at the same level as our 1st team players?

Is a 35 year old defender who's had a massive injury any better ?

Is a centre back who hasn't played higher than league 2 good enough to start for us ?

How about a 3rd tier unproven German striker ?

Ledley is proven at this level his whole career. Hes only 32 so is not passed it. O might take a fee weeks training for match fitness but then we would have a decent back up midfielder in the squad.
Other than that we have pretty much nobody and a injury to Pack or Bacuna now would mean us playing a defender in Midfield

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

he signed for Charlton. played 45 mins , got subbed and has been an un used substitute ever since..this for a club with 16 injuries and who have dropped down the division like a stone.
you honestly think a sub for Charltons reserves is at the same level as our 1st team players?

Is a 35 year old defender who's had a massive injury any better ?

Is a centre back who hasn't played higher than league 2 good enough to start for us ?

How about a 3rd tier unproven German striker ?

Ledley is proven at this level his whole career. Hes only 32 so is not passed it. O might take a fee weeks training for match fitness but then we would have a decent back up midfielder in the squad.
Other than that we have pretty much nobody and a injury to Pack or Bacuna now would mean us playing a defender in Midfield

Just a little petty correction. But that 3rd tier unproven German striker you talk of was actually in the second tier of German football in a team that finished 5th last season. He's been basically 4 places off being a Bundesliga striker.

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

he signed for Charlton. played 45 mins , got subbed and has been an un used substitute ever since..this for a club with 16 injuries and who have dropped down the division like a stone.
you honestly think a sub for Charltons reserves is at the same level as our 1st team players?

Is a 35 year old defender who's had a massive injury any better ?

Is a centre back who hasn't played higher than league 2 good enough to start for us ?

How about a 3rd tier unproven German striker ?

Ledley is proven at this level his whole career. Hes only 32 so is not passed it. O might take a fee weeks training for match fitness but then we would have a decent back up midfielder in the squad.
Other than that we have pretty much nobody and a injury to Pack or Bacuna now would mean us playing a defender in Midfield

Just a little petty correction. But that 3rd tier unproven German striker you talk of was actually in the second tier of German football in a team that finished 5th last season. He's been basically 4 places off being a Bundesliga striker.

Spot on with that and he is our best striker at this present time.
Also I’d like to add that the central defender that has only played league 2 standard is actually now classed as a championship defender as he’s been in our first 11 all season so I would put him any day before Flint or Morrison. Some of our fans are just unbelievable when they get a hate for a player of ours.

I think it would be a big backward step. Doubt if there will much of a queue of clubs battling for his signature.

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

he signed for Charlton. played 45 mins , got subbed and has been an un used substitute ever since..this for a club with 16 injuries and who have dropped down the division like a stone.
you honestly think a sub for Charltons reserves is at the same level as our 1st team players?

Is a 35 year old defender who's had a massive injury any better ?

Is a centre back who hasn't played higher than league 2 good enough to start for us ?

How about a 3rd tier unproven German striker ?

Ledley is proven at this level his whole career. Hes only 32 so is not passed it. O might take a fee weeks training for match fitness but then we would have a decent back up midfielder in the squad.
Other than that we have pretty much nobody and a injury to Pack or Bacuna now would mean us playing a defender in Midfield

each player is different mate.i know he is only 32 but he hasn't proved himself at this level for the best part of 2 years now all three of those you mention are being picked where as desperate as Charlton were ..they started him the day after signing him ,and that first 45 minutes was enough. it was the only game time he had in the last calendar year having been paid up by Derby mid contract .. should tell you something

Not seen Jo play for a long time - donjt know if he would get into our tea, / squad - even on a pay per play basis.

His options in that case - Bristol Rovers, Barry Town, Newport, Swindon, Birmingham, Walsall. He wouldnt make the Jacks or Bristol city though.

Would him an Ralls be a decent partnership ?

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

If we sign him we would still be very short of options. hes no better than what we currently have.

The club need to start looking longer term now. Ledley is neither a short term (he isn't better than what we have) or long term fix.

Tbh with what we currently have I’d sign him on a Pay As You Play contract until the summer, he’s a lot better than what we currently have even whilst lacking match fitness and would add experience to midfield.

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

he signed for Charlton. played 45 mins , got subbed and has been an un used substitute ever since..this for a club with 16 injuries and who have dropped down the division like a stone.
you honestly think a sub for Charltons reserves is at the same level as our 1st team players?

Is a 35 year old defender who's had a massive injury any better ?

Is a centre back who hasn't played higher than league 2 good enough to start for us ?

How about a 3rd tier unproven German striker ?

Ledley is proven at this level his whole career. Hes only 32 so is not passed it. O might take a fee weeks training for match fitness but then we would have a decent back up midfielder in the squad.
Other than that we have pretty much nobody and a injury to Pack or Bacuna now would mean us playing a defender in Midfield

Just a little petty correction. But that 3rd tier unproven German striker you talk of was actually in the second tier of German football in a team that finished 5th last season. He's been basically 4 places off being a Bundesliga striker.

Spot on with that and he is our best striker at this present time.
Also I’d like to add that the central defender that has only played league 2 standard is actually now classed as a championship defender as he’s been in our first 11 all season so I would put him any day before Flint or Morrison. Some of our fans are just unbelievable when they get a hate for a player of ours.

I never said I hate Nelson he has done brilliantly but be honest now Bamba and Morrison are fit we wont be seeing as much of him. He only played because of Morrisons injury and was dropped first opportunity before the Red card.
He is still a lower league centre half both in play and experiance but fair play to him he did a great job stepping up.
If you think Glatzel I'd our best striker that's your opinion, personally I think hes poor and would start both Madine and Ward before him

As a squad player for 6 months I would probably take him on a cheap wage as we are desperately short in midfield options . He can do a job closing a game down last 15 mins. Is he any worse than what we have now ? And hes a free.

I can see this is the type of signing we will make

I wouldn't have given him a seconds thought but what you say Thomas isn't wrong. I doubt he is any slower than Pack. When you say free you obviously mean available!

I mean a free agent
I dont think he is by any means the answer to our problems but we are so short of proper midfielders he wouldnt be a bad shout on a short term contract.
Have not seen him play for a whilst but surely he is not passed it at 32. Hes probably still at the level of Bacuna and Pack. If one of them got injured we would be in big trouble.

he signed for Charlton. played 45 mins , got subbed and has been an un used substitute ever since..this for a club with 16 injuries and who have dropped down the division like a stone.
you honestly think a sub for Charltons reserves is at the same level as our 1st team players?

Is a 35 year old defender who's had a massive injury any better ?

Is a centre back who hasn't played higher than league 2 good enough to start for us ?

How about a 3rd tier unproven German striker ?

Ledley is proven at this level his whole career. Hes only 32 so is not passed it. O might take a fee weeks training for match fitness but then we would have a decent back up midfielder in the squad.
Other than that we have pretty much nobody and a injury to Pack or Bacuna now would mean us playing a defender in Midfield

Just a little petty correction. But that 3rd tier unproven German striker you talk of was actually in the second tier of German football in a team that finished 5th last season. He's been basically 4 places off being a Bundesliga striker.

Spot on with that and he is our best striker at this present time.
Also I’d like to add that the central defender that has only played league 2 standard is actually now classed as a championship defender as he’s been in our first 11 all season so I would put him any day before Flint or Morrison. Some of our fans are just unbelievable when they get a hate for a player of ours.

I never said I hate Nelson he has done brilliantly but be honest now Bamba and Morrison are fit we wont be seeing as much of him. He only played because of Morrisons injury and was dropped first opportunity before the Red card.
He is still a lower league centre half both in play and experiance but fair play to him he did a great job stepping up.
If you think Glatzel I'd our best striker that's your opinion, personally I think hes poor and would start both Madine and Ward before him

I also rate Glatzel, if Warnock wanted an out and out target man,then he chose very unwisely teams in Germany, even in the lower leagues,like to play with the ball on the floor,not dropping down out of the floodlights! Madine I don't dislike,he does what he does effectively, just doesn't score,while Glatzel does.

Tbh with what we currently have I’d sign him on a Pay As You Play contract until the summer, he’s a lot better than what we currently have even whilst lacking match fitness and would add experience to midfield.

id have the old joe back all day long..wish he had stayed but don't know whats happened with him.. he seems desperate to play ,isn't that old but with Derby cancelling his contract nobody willing to take him for 11 months and then Charlton who really were desperate calling time after 45 mins the problem looks more than match fitness..

Tbh with what we currently have I’d sign him on a Pay As You Play contract until the summer, he’s a lot better than what we currently have even whilst lacking match fitness and would add experience to midfield.

id have the old joe back all day long..wish he had stayed but don't know whats happened with him.. he seems desperate to play ,isn't that old but with Derby cancelling his contract nobody willing to take him for 11 months and then Charlton who really were desperate calling time after 45 mins the problem looks more than match fitness..

Maybe his heart or head isn’t into it with other clubs especially if he wants to come home... would be no harm signing him on a PAYP contract, the club aren’t going to lose any money if he doesn’t play