Kelleher Options: More Limited By The Day | OneFootball

Caoimhin Kelleher’s Premier League Conundrum

You’d have put money on this at the start of the season but now it’s far from a certainty. Caoimhin Kelleher has long been hailed as one of Liverpool’s brightest goalkeeping prospects and last season further enhanced his reputation. However, his pursuit of regular first-team football seems to be hitting a roadblock in the Premier League. Despite his talent, finding a club willing to pay Liverpool’s asking price and provide him with a starting role has proven difficult.

Kelleher’s Premier League Options: Limited and Uncertain

Kelleher has expressed his desire to play regular first-team football, stating, “It’s not a rebuild or anything like that, it’s just finding those little extra things that can hopefully push us on and get us over the line to win some more trophies.” Despite this ambition, his options within the Premier League appear constrained. Nottingham Forest, who previously showed interest, recently signed Carlos Miguel, reducing their need for another goalkeeper. Last summer, Forest bid £15 million for Kelleher, but with their current acquisition, this door seems closed.

Established Keepers Blocking Kelleher’s Path

Other Premier League clubs such as Brentford and Brighton also present challenges. Brentford’s current first-choice goalkeeper Flekken, has solidified his spot, making it unlikely they would invest in another high-profile keeper. Similarly, Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen has shown promise, further limiting Kelleher’s prospects there. He’s been pretty decent for the Dutch in the Euro’s, so you’re ruling people out quickly. None of the top six will be there and Ipswich just signed a keeper, never mind the fact it’s unlikely he’d go to that level of club.

This scenario paints a grim picture for Kelleher’s aspirations in the Premier League. Many clubs already have established number ones, and the £25 million fee Liverpool demands may be too steep for a backup or rotational keeper role.

Photo: IMAGO

Potential Move to Celtic: Complications Arise

Celtic emerged as a potential destination for Kelleher. However, their impending signing of Kasper Schmeichel complicates this possibility. With Schmeichel’s vast experience and reputation, Kelleher may find himself in a similar backup role, which he seeks to escape. Let’s be honest, they couldn’t have got near the required price tag anyway. The more you go through Premier League teams, the less and less a keeper of his price or calibre is appropriate.

Impressive Stats Highlight Kelleher’s Value

Despite these hurdles, Kelleher’s statistics from the last season underscore his value. He made numerous appearances in various competitions, securing multiple clean sheets, and showcasing his skills in high-pressure situations. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with comments like, “[My targets are] similar to last year really. Obviously I had a lot of games last season, which was really good. So just looking to do the same really and keep the same level of performance as well,” reflecting his consistency and ambition.

A Waiting Game for Kelleher

While Kelleher’s talent and potential are undeniable, his path to regular first-team football remains uncertain. As the transfer window progresses, it will be intriguing to see if any Premier League clubs reconsider their goalkeeper options and meet Liverpool’s valuation. For now, Kelleher may need to bide his time, demonstrating patience and readiness for when the right opportunity arises. You’d have been pretty certain he’d have left at the start of the window. The more time goes on and the more signings others make, the less certain it appears.