The links to us moving for Brad Friedel continue, with the latest 'news' that we are ready to hijack Villa's deal for him after their bid was agreed with Blackburn (following Rovers signing of Paul Robinson from Tottenham yesterday).
I just don't see it as Hughes was quoted in the MEN yesterday as saying he was looking for cover, and given Friedel is still playing at a level that puts him in the upper tier of Premier League goalkeepers why would he sign for us to sit on the bench when he will be the undisputed number 1 at Villa (which I think he would be looking to continue as)?
If he was signed though and handed the number 1 jersey then it would be a huge slap in the face for Joe Hart, who last season beat out both Isaksson and Schmeichel to make the position his own, not to mention make his England debut and put himself firmly in the frame as David James's heir apparant.
More realistically for me is that Hughes will look for a guy who is happy to sit on the bench and to allow Schmeichel he possibility of going out on an extended loan once again.
I just don't see it as Hughes was quoted in the MEN yesterday as saying he was looking for cover, and given Friedel is still playing at a level that puts him in the upper tier of Premier League goalkeepers why would he sign for us to sit on the bench when he will be the undisputed number 1 at Villa (which I think he would be looking to continue as)?
If he was signed though and handed the number 1 jersey then it would be a huge slap in the face for Joe Hart, who last season beat out both Isaksson and Schmeichel to make the position his own, not to mention make his England debut and put himself firmly in the frame as David James's heir apparant.
More realistically for me is that Hughes will look for a guy who is happy to sit on the bench and to allow Schmeichel he possibility of going out on an extended loan once again.