The Premier League season kicked off this weekend, with there sure to be quite a bit of intrigue surrounding the fortunes of Ireland players in the division over the coming months.
All the usual big names like Evan Ferguson, Nathan Collins, and Seamus Coleman will have a big part to play for their clubs this season, but a number of Irish stars are also set to make their way into the division for the first time.
Jack Taylor, Marcus Harness, and Sammie Szmodics all made their Premier League debuts for Ipswich Town this afternoon, with the latter having only joined the club in £10million deal this week.
That trio will be hoping to cement their place in the Ireland squad with their performance in the English top flight, while one of their teammates could also yet end up wearing the green jersey in the future.
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Liam Delap is a player who has been mentioned as a potential future Ireland international for quite some time now, with his father Rory Delap having worn the green jersey with distinction in the past.
He came through the ranks at Manchester City, also playing for various England teams up to U21 level. Of course, he is also eligible to play for Ireland through his father’s side of the family.
Delap would join Ipswich Town in a £20million deal this summer, impressing during his debut against Liverpool this afternoon.
Speaking on Premier Sports, Shay Given said that Ireland should do everything they can to bring the player on board in the near future.
[Evan Ferguson] is still so young and we expect so much. A year ago we were talking about this being the answer to all our problems with the Irish team.
Sammie Szmodics has just signed for Ipswich, another Premier League team.
You see Liam Delap playing with them as well. I know he has played for England underage, but his dad Rory Delap we all know, I played with him of course.
If I was the new manager, I would be getting all these players on board. Liam Delap is quick, he’s powerful, and he’s a good finisher…
England are sort of scouring the world for players. We’re a smaller nation, we have to do the same thing. Get these players on board and get them capped, like Liam Delap, and strengthen the squad.
The FAI have approached Liam Delap about declaring for Ireland in the past, with Stephen Kenny suggesting back in 2021 that the player might be open to the possibility.
Considering our lack of firepower in recent times, bringing in a player of his talents would certainly be a boost. It remains to be seen just how realistic of a prospect that will be.
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