In an exclusive interview with BoyleSports , former EFL midfielder Andy Townsend has given his insight into the playoff battle in the Championship with the likes of Middlesborough, Sunderland and Coventry in contention.
Ahead of the summer Transfer Window he also discusses the chance of Callum Wilson signing for Celtic, Trent’s Madrid move backlash and Harry Kane potentially returning to the Premier League.
Playoff Contenders
In terms of trying to get into the playoffs, Middlesbrough are pushing hard with Bristol City having a bit of a wobble.
I think Boro often show signs of being really capable of going on a little bit of a run and then it all stops. So I think at the moment, it's a tough one to call where that's all going to go.
With Coventry, Frank Lampard has got his team focused really on trying to win matches and not draw games. That's why they've got themselves into the playoff places.
I think they have an intent to try and win games rather than nurse their way through situations. I think they're really going for it. But I think out of Bristol City, Middlesbrough and West Brom, I think that's going to be a fair old scrap.
Sunderland Promotion Prospects
Sunderland up to now have shown the sort of form that you would expect from that young team. Very good, dangerous on their day, and yet perhaps one or two results that they perhaps wouldn't have been quite expecting.
“But they've done a lot of the job now and it’s just about how they finish the season now. They’ve got to protect their place in the playoffs and keep on playing to win, how they fare in those playoffs remains to be seen.
So much depends on who they're playing but credit to all the teams involved in the top six or seven and below, they have all had healthy spells in the Premier League and are all big clubs.
Premier League Pedigree
They've all been in this sort of scenario before and trying to stay amongst it, now it’s up to the players to try and get over the line and then do the job in the playoffs.
It's just about holding your nerve at this stage of the season and not panicking if you lose the odd game in the run-in, if you lose a game then dust yourself down and get back out there.
It’s high pressure and high stakes, and Sunderland are doing well and are in the mix.”
Trafford to Newcastle?
Burnley’s record has been incredible, and James Trafford has been a huge part of that at just 22 so you can see why there is interest. Most managers like to have three good keepers at the club and Trafford has got a lot of credit for his clean sheets and rightly so.
Moving to a club like Newcastle, it would be a great move for him personally, but I think if Burnley were to get promoted, he should stay where he is.
I think he should stay where he is because he will play. The last time we saw him in the Premier League he was brought in by Vincent Kompany and they were giving away soft goals and got relegated.
Goalkeepers are at the thick end of that but to Scott Parker's credit they’ve changed that entirely because you don't keep that many clean sheets by taking liberties in your own 18-yard box.
Pope vs Trafford
They've realized that they don't need to do that, that they can defend solidly and sensibly because they can trust their keeper with his hands, and they can trust his decision to get rid of the ball when he needs to.
He’s clearly learned a lot this season and the interest is no surprise, he’s capable of going to Newcastle and battling it out with Nick Pope because I don’t think Pope is untouchable, but there is the risk you won’t play. That’s a risk he shouldn’t take if Burnley do get promoted.
Wilson to Celtic?
Callum Wilson is out of contract in the summer, and I could absolutely see him at Celtic, I think it could be ideal for him. He is on a free transfer but could still get a significant wage, the one problem is if he can stay fit enough to have the impact on the team he and the club would want.
At Celtic he could play 25 games and win the league, he has experience and has been around a long time, when he plays he looks good it’s just the injury concerns.
A move to a club like Celtic would make a lot of sense for him, he could help Adam Idah with his experience, but he would need to be able to play 30 times in all competitions from Celtic’s point of view. I think the move would work if that was the case, otherwise Celtic may look elsewhere.
Trent’s Liverpool Legacy
Trent Alexander-Arnold has won everything he can possibly win at Liverpool, his boyhood club. He has served them very, very well - but of course, fans don't like it when you leave, particularly if you leave on a free transfer.
Unfortunately, when Real Madrid come knocking, they are the biggest and the best club anywhere in the world. They are the ultimate destination for any footballer, even a footballer in my opinion, that was born and bred in Liverpool, and that's his dream club.
Fans will ask why you’d ever want to leave, but there are other challenges out there that you have to consider.
The Real Madrid Appeal
When Real Madrid come knocking, it's not AC Milan, it's not Inter Milan, it's even bigger than that. Real Madrid, even more so than Barcelona now, is the ultimate football destination.
As brilliant a club as Liverpool is and as amazing as it must be to play for them, Real Madrid is another notch.
He’s won everything with Liverpool, he's always served them well. He's a great player. He's quite a unique player in lots of ways and I don't blame him at all for wanting to go to play for Real Madrid.
£100 Million Trent
Liverpool are losing a £ 100 million asset in Trent Alexander-Arnold, but that’s not all down to him. Clubs are very aware of the dangers of letting players drop into the last two years of their contract, very aware.
The people who run Liverpool, they're not daft, they just would’ve had a level of a contract that they felt was justified for Trent and he obviously wasn't interested in that.
He might have already decided to let his contract run down and that was a brave decision because you could break your leg and find yourself in a really tricky situation.
I personally understand the justification in doing that. People close to Liverpool don't see it, it's their club and they would only ever want to pull on that red shirt. I get that, but as a player your career flashes by.
Time To Say Goodbye
When you get to my age and you look back, it's gone in a flash, honestly, it really has. The chance to go to Real Madrid at 26 is the perfect time for him. He served Liverpool well during his period in the club and in the team.
They've been very successful. He's been a brilliant player. The crowd love him. He's a special talent, there is no doubt about that. But I think he's absolutely reached the right time for him to go.
Kane To Manchester United?
The one obvious destination for Harry Kane in the Premier League is Manchester United because they're crying out for something significant in that position. However, whether or not Harry is prepared to join a team like Manchester United that are some distance away from being anything like what they were, I would doubt.
I think the lure of coming back to the UK obviously for Harry is always going to be a debating point. It's going to be one that he and his family will want to discuss and carefully consider.
Bayern Munich the
Kane’s Trophy Drought To End
But he's at the biggest club in Germany and they look like they're going to win the league this year. They're still involved in the Champions League and so they are still a very formidable club to play for.
I'm not sure whether this summer leaving and coming back to Manchester United works for Harry Kane. I don't quite get that. I think he's been phenomenal since he's been there.
His England career from this point onwards will gradually start to diminish. He's still very much part of what Thomas Tuchel wants to do, but time catches up and others will no doubt be looking to step into his shoes.
Kane To Liverpool?
I don't see Manchester City with Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush. Could Liverpool go and get him? Maybe they could. But would they spend £60million on someone of Harry's age and stage of his career now? They wouldn't want to.
So I think the only obvious destination for him is Manchester United really. United should have bought him when he was coming out of Tottenham last time.
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