SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Dara O’Shea of Ipswich euns with the ball during the Premier … [+] Getty Images
With 9 game weeks left in the 2024/25 Premier League, there are a few conclusions that can already be drawn. Liverpool will be champions, 5th Place will get Champions League football and, for the second season running, the three newly promoted teams will all be making a swift return to the Championship.
For Ireland’s Dara O’Shea, this will mean a third relegation from the league with three different clubs. This is by no means a reflection of his ability. O’Shea is third on the list for most blocks this season (Nathan Collins is first) with 36 and sixth for headed clearances (79). He was also among the top 10 fastest Premier League players last season.
When Vincent Kompany signed him in 2023, he felt he was getting a player capable of playing for a top 8 Premier League team.
Despite strong interest from Brentford last summer, it was Ipswich who landed O’Shea for an initial £12 million fee. Regrettably, they have had a torrid season back in the Premier League, losing 18 games and conceding 62 goals so far.
This summer will be a key one for O’Shea. While there will be undoubted interest from a number of clubs, he will not want to find himself in the situations he has been in for the past two seasons of playing for a club getting beat week in week out. Joining a promoted team might be a situation that is best avoided.
Given that O’Shea and his fiancée Louise welcomed a son in July 2022, it is understandable that his preference may be to stay in England rather than having to uproot to move to a European team. Playing at a high level will be key for his international prospects as his fellow Irish centre halves are enjoying rich veins of form at the moment.
Nathan Collins is one of only two outfield players to have played every minute of this Premier League season while Jake O’Brien has started Everton’s last 8 league games and scored two goals, one less than O’Shea has in his entire Premier League career. O’Brien has been used at right back at Everton, a position that O’Shea is also able to play in, and has done so in the past.
By the time the Hungary game rolls around on September 6th, it is possible he could also have competition from Eiran Cashin, who joined Brighton in January and will be hoping to have forced his way into his club’s and countries plans once he has had a pre-season under his belt. Andrew Omobamidele is another man who will be hoping to be in the qualifying campaign picture by September also.
A fit Dara O’Shea is nailed on as a starter for Ireland in most people’s eyes. However, with the depth that Ireland currently have in their defence, coupled with the form of the aforementioned players, it is vital for O’Shea to choose his next move wisely so that he can continue to add to his 32 international caps.