ETHERIDGE: REASONS CITY SHOULD OPEN DOOR TO PL SWITCH

Why Cardiff should be open to senior figure sealing Premier League switch
By Ben Lang


Cardiff City look set to keep hold of goalkeeper Neil Etheridge this month with West Ham having now agreed a £4million fee to bring Darren Randolph to the London Stadium, according to the Guardian.

FLW reported yesterday that West Ham had added Etheridge to their list of candidates to replace Roberto Jimenez as the club’s second-choice goalkeeper, but it appears as though they have now settled on a move for Middlesbrough’s Randolph.

This means that Cardiff’s number-one goalkeeper now looks primed to spend the second half of the season with the Bluebirds, with the likes of Alex Smithies and Joe Day set to continue their wait for a regular place in Neil Harris’ side.


Smithies enjoyed a stint between the sticks earlier this season during Etheridge’s injury lay-off, but the Philippines international then managed to re-establish himself in the side in mid-October, and he has played every league game since.

Etheridge has kept four clean sheets during his 16 league appearances for the Bluebirds this campaign, while he has also pulled off some excellent saves in the process in order to help his side achieve some impressive results under Harris.


However, despite Etheridge’s continued form between the sticks, Cardiff should still definitely consider the possibility of offloading the goalkeeper if a serious offer comes in for the 29-year-old during this transfer window.

This is because Cardiff could utilise what would likely be a handsome transfer fee on other areas of the squad, and there would be no immediate need to strengthen the goalkeeping department seeing as there are already two other options players in Smithies and Day.

Smithies has proven earlier this season that he is more than capable of playing between the sticks for Cardiff on a regular basis, and his distribution is even better than that of Etheridge who has struggled with the ball at his feet of late.

This means the switch would be unlikely to affect Cardiff’s league form significantly, and Smithies could even excel even further if he is entrusted with the first-choice berth by Harris, which makes this avenue Cardiff could easily explore.

While Cardiff will certainly not be looking to offload Etheridge by any means, they should at least take some time to carefully ponder any potential offers that are made for the 29-year-old’s services.

Just sell him for a profit! Smithies is as good as him and day good understudy if required, we also got apparently a star for the future as a 3rd keeper! This way free up money for wages transfer fee on players more urgently needed..

Just sell him for a profit! Smithies is as good as him and day good understudy if required, we also got apparently a star for the future as a 3rd keeper! This way free up money for wages transfer fee on players more urgently needed..

Joe Day looks very poor from what i have seen of him. Murphy is a better choice back up in my opinion

I've just been looking,and villa seem to be looking everywhere else,bar etheridge.latest rumours link Joe Hart and a 37 yr old ex prem goalie?

As already said, sell him for a profit and move onwards

I'm pretty sure one of Etheridge or Smithies will be sold in this window.

Definitely get alot more money for Etheridge but at a cost to the team.

Also makes sense if Day went out on loan and use Murphy as cover

Just sell him for a profit! Smithies is as good as him and day good understudy if required, we also got apparently a star for the future as a 3rd keeper! This way free up money for wages transfer fee on players more urgently needed..

Joe Day looks very poor from what i have seen of him. Murphy is a better choice back up in my opinion

Think i got goalies mixed up? smithies Murphy and young star in making should do so get rid Etheridge for the money as he is surplus to requirements.

Etheridge Has Been Our Most Consistent Goalkeeper, I Know He Has His Faults With Kicking But He Can Save Us A Lot Of Points And Thrived In The Premier League. I Don't Like The Fact That Fans Are Not Liking What He Does. Because He has Been Our Number 1 Keeper Ever Since He Joined Us.

PLUS I Don't Think Etheridge Would Go To West Ham Knowing He Will Just Sit On The Bench, When He Can Start For Us Every Game.

Another useless article behind a worse headline.

Why restrict to Etheridge?

If ANY one of our players commanded Premier League interest and a fee of any sort to go with it they would be gone by end of January.

Just sell him for a profit! Smithies is as good as him and day good understudy if required, we also got apparently a star for the future as a 3rd keeper! This way free up money for wages transfer fee on players more urgently needed..

George Ratcliffe

Just sell him for a profit! Smithies is as good as him and day good understudy if required, we also got apparently a star for the future as a 3rd keeper! This way free up money for wages transfer fee on players more urgently needed..

George Ratcliffe

He's supposed to be very good according to Neville southall !

Villa keeper played well tonight - WHU look like they have gone elsewhere .