5 Clubs Caoimhin Kelleher Could Join in the Summer
When Alisson got injured, many believed Liverpool could be out of the title race. Fast forward six weeks and Caoimhin Kelleher has had a Man of the Match display in a Carabao Cup final while saving Liverpool plenty of times in the league.
Only conceding five in eight, Kelleher has made some excellent saves in key moments for the Reds. Always composed on the ball, Kelleher’s sweeping and claiming abilities have also come on leaps and bounds.
Below, we look at five clubs that may try to sign the 25-year-old in the summer.
Brentford
Thomas Frank’s side was supposedly looking to get Kelleher before deciding on Dutch keeper Mark Flekken. Flekken has improved as of late, but the 30-year-old has had some poor moments in goal.
Up until recently, Flekken has had the worst number of goals prevented in the Premier League, with it currently standing at -6.58. This can also be a symptom of being on a team that concedes many shots, but Flekken’s position in goal is far from secure currently.
Celtic
With Joe Hart retiring at the end of the season, the club that has been most linked to Caoimhin Kelleher could make a move. One straightforward fact, however, might cause this to fail. Celtic would have to spend at least double the most they have ever spent on one player.
Celtic of late has become a club that brings in young players on the cheap and sells on for profits. This would be the reason they probably don’t go for Kelleher, despite being a clear upgrade.
It might also be a downgrade for Liverpool’s No. 2.
Brighton & Hove Albion
When Bart Verbruggen joined in the summer, it seemed Roberto De Zerbi struck a perfect balance between experienced Jason Steele and Anderlecht prodigy Bart.
Since then, Verbruggen has made multiple errors leading to goals, and the ageing Steele has been hovering around the bottom of the league in goals prevented. Caoimhin Kelleher could come in and be De Zerbi’s number one while Verbruggen plays in the cups and potential European games.
AFC Bournemouth
Despite poor form recently, Bournemouth has looked like a new side under Andoni Iraola. Neto has been a key part of that, however, his ball-playing can certainly be improved. The Brazilian came in and immediately made his presence felt, as he has made some great saves for the Cherries, but the former Barca man is turning 35 in the summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher could join Bournemouth, who have recently brought in so many younger players and now look a way more fluid side in possession than years gone by.
Bayern Munich
Although unlikely, Manuel Neuer will be 38 at the end of the month, and after his freak injury on the slopes, it is thought the all-time great could retire at any point. With no clear replacement waiting, Kelleher could be in for a shock move.
Despite being a commercial giant, Bayern Munich likes to shop on the outskirts of the market. Maxime Choupo-Moting, Eric Dier, and Daley Blind are just a few of the examples of Bayern’s interesting recruitment system. Caoimhin Kelleher may have to sit for a year and wait for his opportunity in Munich, but you never know.
The Liverpool backup could, of course, stay at Anfield, but his stock has never been higher and he could soon make his move to one of the above.
One thing is for sure: Caoimhin Kelleher is certainly good enough to be the No. 1 at many top sides across Europe.