Apologies if there is a thred on this kid already but couldn't find it if there is ... http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/flanagan-gets-u21-call Congrads to him, very impressive to get called up to the U21s at 18. Hopefully he'll get some game time for the Pool sonner rather than later.
Flano made his England U21 debut tonight, playing the full 90 minutes as England won 3-0 away to Iceland in a Euro U21 qualifier. Kelly and Henderson ( captain ) also played the full 90 minutes. http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u.../Iceland-v-England/Teamsheets?p=ts&mid=173512
Very poor from the fa.com 's website not getting facts correct. Jon Flanagan made his U21's debut against Azerbaijan on the 1st September. http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-u...gland-v-Azerbaijan/Teamsheets?p=ts&mid=173508
Pity that as he needs to play regularly, he's an excellent prospect as we've all seen but he's not likely to get much game time with Johnson and Kelly ahead of him barring injury crisis.
I would love to see him declare for Ireland. Im not sure how true the rumours are, that hes thinking about it.
Hadn't heard about either thing tbh. A loan move would be the best thing for Flanagan. He isn't going to get muchtime with the first team and McLaughlin is benefiting from getting the experience with the reserves. He looks to be another good right back that is coming through.
I'm seriously a massive, massive fan of this lad. Its unfortunate (for him) that we already have Kelly and Johnson. If it was my call, i would sell Johnson and the future of the club would be Kelly and Flanagan. But its not my call. He's a damn good player though. With a great future.
Robinson was always considered the better player but Flanno got his games last year through injury. He performed very well but was found out against Sunderland this year and hasn't really featured since. That's why I think a loan move would be perfect for him. But as you said we are in a great position. We have 2 of the 3 best english right backs. Which is unfortunate for flanno
I don't really know about the term "found out". But when a young player has a bad day, that's generally the term used. he got "found out". I dont think its necessarily fair to judge him on one bad game, any more than he should be judged on that amazing performance against Arsenal last season, when he was thrown in the deep end and punched above his weight. Its pretty easy to tell that he has got something about him, and he could, alongside Kelly, be our two RB's for the next 12 years. If they're given the chance. Nothing against Johnson really. He is what he is.
'found out' was probably not the best term to use. But I think it wasn't just a bad game but a very bad game.(Although I watched it with a manc and he pointed out every time he did something wrong). It showed that although he is very talented there is still a lot of work left to do. He looked very good during the week with the reserves. I wouldn't sell Johnson based on John Flanagan's potential. The same goes for anyone in the youth system. But then you need to find a balance and you don't want to sign a player that impede'sthe development of a very good youth player. Went on a little rant there. I agree that Flanagan could become a very good player but Kelly is by far a better player and a lot will depend on whether kelly gets moved to centreback in the future.
haha, no worries. I like a good rant myself too! And yes, I'm in full agreement that kelly is a better player. in fact, I've no doubt that kelly is a better player than Johnson as well. Thats kind of my whole reasoning though. If Kelly is our best RB, then surely Flanagan can be his back-up and we could easily get 13-18 mill for Johnson. That could be put towards signing a very talented up-and-coming young CB. Which we badly need. I know we have Coates, but with Carra getting on a bit, and Skrtel never did a lot for me, inspite of improved performances recently, and an injury prone Agger. All I'm really saying is that Kelly and Flanagan are two of the best young RB's in the country. And they are there for the long-term, if given the chance. They'll get better and better. I'm not sure Johnson will get any better than where he's at now.
The thing is that they could see Martin Kelly as a centreback. Steve Clark mentioned it in the last few weeks after he played centreback for the England U21's. If they see him as a right back I can see the reason to sell Johnson at a time when he is at peak value. All in all it's a great position to be in having 3 very good right backs. If Robinson can progress at left back we will be sorted at full back for years.
That's my gut instinct as well. I have huge hopes for this guy and was delighted to see him get the nod against Sunderland as I'd been raving about him all summer to a few of the lads Was gutted that he made a couple of glaring errors on the day but I'm sure he'll bounce back. Kenny picked him ahead of Kelly that day so he must have been flying in training as well in pre season The thing I like most about him is he seems so composed on the ball. He's not a Dani Alves type who'll bomb forward all day long but he has the ability to make very clever use of the ball and is brave as you like That performance has clearly set him back a bit in the pecking order as he hasn't been seen since in the league. Disappointing the Leeds loan fell through Wouldn't be in a rush to sell Johnson on a side note. I can see the logic in cashing in on him now but he's the man in possession of the jersey at the moment and if he stays fit I think he'll have a very good final 2/3rds of the season. He's not near as bad a defender as some make out (apart from when he spent a few months flicking his dreadlocks behind his ears. awful stuff)
Pity the loan move fell through, he could have done with some 1st team action at a decent level. It's a good problem to have for Kenny that we're so well stocked up at RB particularly, wouldn't get rid of Johnson though. He offers a lot going forward, particularly at home when teams come to Anfield and sit back. Kelly is a class act and is made to be a CB, he'll be another Carra. 4 years time our first choice defence could be Flanagan-Kelly-Coates-Robinson. Nice.
Should probably mention Wilson too. Loan deals for these guys (to Premier League teams especially)would do the world of good. Surely someone like Wigan would be interested??
Jon Flanagan was played in midfield yesterday in the 1-0 win over Wolves for the reserves rather than his usual right back position.