Arsenal Lead Chase for Wolves £6M Prodigy: Everton, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough & Newcastle Also in Chase
Wolves Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is reportedly drawing interest from a number of Premier League clubs with Arsenal leading the chase. However, the Gunners are not alone in their admiration for the Welsh stopper with Everton, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Middlesbrough also thought to be monitoring his progress.
The 21-year-old Welsh international had a superb 2007/08 season which saw him voted into the Championship Team of the Year. The Bangor born keeper was part of the Wolves side that narrowly missed out on the Play-offs after a season that saw the youngster start every single one of Wanderers 46 League games.
Hennessey kept 19 clean-sheets and conceded 48 goals, a number only beaten by Palace and Hull in the Championship. This is even more impressive considering the youngster hadn’t featured in a League match for the club prior to the 2007/08 season. He had impressed in a previous loan spell with Stockport where he made 15 League appearances as well as setting a Football League record for 9 successive clean-sheets (a total of 857 minutes of football without conceding) and wins - a record that had stood for 119 years!
This season, Hennessey has played in 8 of Wolves 10 League games though has only kept 1 clean-sheet as his club sit 2nd in the Championship.
The former Man City trainee has also broken into the Welsh national side and has already won 14 caps and kept 7 clean-sheets in those games. This includes shut-outs against the Czech Republic, Bulgaria (away), Germany (away), Norway and Iceland (away). Hennessey also played at U17, U19 and U21 level for his country including scoring for the U19’s with a 40-yard free-kick a la Paul Robinson.
The youngster looks destined for the top but how would Wolves fans feel about selling him and what would be a realistic fee? Do you think the youngster would cut it in the Premier League or do you feel he needs to learn his trade in the Championship first? Would Arsenal, Everton, Villa and Boro fans feel he would be a good acquisition for your club or would you prefer an older more experienced keeper? Let’s hear your views.
Last Weekend we Had a £300,000 Jackpot Winner. Play Footy 15 this week for just £1 to win a jackpot of £100,000: Click here to play>>
Play Premier 10 this week for just £1 to win a jackpot of £20,000: Click here to play>>
Tags: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Everton, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Wayne Hennessey, Wolves
October 17th, 2008 at 11:00
Hennessey is still rough around the edges. His got year and years ahead of him as a goal keeper. He will undoubtedly become one of the best, IF not the best keeper in Europe over the next few years but his still on a learning curve. Wolves will not sell for £6m considering they are under new ownership and have already indicated they are not a selling club. Proven of the last transfer window.
Thier current team has an average age of 23. Its loaded with internationals all of whom will go on to become internationally recognised players. From Hennessey to Elokobi, Kightly to Ebanks-Blake.
I think on the opening day of the season the mean age of thier squad was just over 22. Hennessey would be a fool to leave such a promising team that will undoubtedly make strides in the premiership once promoted.
The only problem is, when arguably Englands best keeper is fit Matthew Murray, will Hennessey even be first choice for Wolves. I mean before last season, Hennessey was only Wolves 4th choice keeper. Carl Ikeme. A player rated very, very highly was ahead of him before injury cursed him at the same time they lost Murray allowing Wayne to grab his chance. Ikeme has been approached by the Nigerian FA to register for them internationally. Its kind off strange when a team in the 2nd division of English football has the best goalkeeping line up in the British game. All credit must not only go to the coaching set up but to Bobby Mimms (Now of Blackburn).
October 17th, 2008 at 11:24
I cannot believe Bobby Mimms can give advice to anyone, I remember him at the Spuds!