One of my first reactions on hearing that Martin Jol would be taking over – after, the excitement of a new manager – was a sense of wonder at what might be ahead of us in the transfer market. For several summers, our transfer activity has been measured more by who we’ve kept, rather than who we signed. With European football seemingly enough to retain what largely seems like a loyal squad, most Fulham fans have been busy second guessing Jol’s first move.
The speculation that Jol might return to his former clubs began almost as soon as the appointment was announced. The usual names, who have followed him from club-to-club – Atouba and El Hamoaudi – were trotted out and I was all surprised at how long it took the media to link Robbie Keane to a move to the Cottage. It’s duly happened and, earlier this afternoon, Sky Sports News were going big on the idea of an imminent transfer.
Now, everyone knows that Fulham are in the market for at least one striker. And nobody can doubt that Keane has been predatory in the Premier League. Toss into the mix that he thrived under Jol at White Hart Lane and you might be thinking that this seems like a good deal for Fulham. I’m not so sure. Keane has struggled for starts at Spurs in recent years and looked a shadow of his former self on loan at West Ham towards the end of their relegation battle. Speaking to a Hammer at the weekend, I was struck by how down he was on the Irish international’s performance levels. There was little of the almost trademark spark or certainty in front of goal.
Keane, even though he is only 30 and still bangs them in for the Republic of Ireland, seems to be past his peak. If Jol wants a natural partner for Bobby Zamora, the answer is closer than he might think. There may be question marks against Andy Johnson’s goal return since he moved to the Cottage, but there’s no doubting his commitment. Johnson finished the season impressively and deserves the right to prove himself. I’m concerned that Keane, who after all scored three league goals last season, would prove a retrograde step and that we should be considering younger alternatives.
Robbie Keane seems to have aged very quickly. He and Dimitar Berbatov were arguably the best partnership in the league in 2007-08 , but that half season at Liverpool seemed to take a lot out of him and he hasn’t been the same since his return. He rarely even looked like scoring. That odd situation where suddenly a player is over the hill almost overnight.
Like you say though he has scored international goals – 8 this season – and he did score 16 goals in 19 games for Celtic, which shouldn’t be completely discounted.
Still, the rumours were inevitable regardless of whether there’s any truth to them. Martin Jol is a big fan and he is known for re-signing former players. It’s a signing that could either way if it actually happens.
I’m fine with signing Keane, but not at the expense of losing Dembele (unless Spurs offer a ton of cash + Keane),
Here was the typical reaction of Fulham supporters when we signed the following players (I have a great memory)
Danny Murphy: He’s too old…rubbish…
Clint Dempsey: Why are we signing another bloody American? Americans can’t compete in the Premiership
Bobby Zamora; Who?
Keane gives us depth at striker and valuable experience…two things we will need if we are to make any cup run this season (Europa or Domestic).
spurs fan here
keane is not a great player, but is a leader and
100 percent knows where the goal is.
For 5 million, it could be a bargain becuase he still has maybe 10 -15 goals a season in him
he started the year well at spurs, then we bough van der vaart and the rest is history
Another Spurs fan….. Keane has lost it. Legs are gone, goals at club level have dried up. Be great at organising parties though.
I don’t believe that Keane is past it. He looked great last pre-season and in the only match he played with Van deVart he showed far more awareness and quickness off-the-mark than the other three strikerd did, all season.
I am convinced that he would have performed much better than the other three but was frozen out of the team due a) to am misdmeanour the season before and b) to push him into accepting a transfer out.
I feel sure that he would be a good buy for Fulham and I hope the transfer happens for gis sake. Redknapp’s refusal to play him and Keane’s refusal to accept an unwelcome transfer have wasted almost two yeasrs of his playing life.
Regardless of Keane’s merits as a player – £70k a week is a problem that in all likelihood will waste another year of his playing life…