Why Loan Cerny?

AS REPORTS intensify that Radek Cerny – among others – could be leaving on loan, we ask why?

Only a week or so ago Mark Hughes revealed that he was looking to add a goalkeeper – now confirmed as Julio Cesar – and as a consequence could contemplate loaning out Brian Murphy.

The squad was announced with very few surprises in store – but perhaps the only surprise seemed to be the omission of Radek Cerny – the experienced Czech stopper that seemed to thrive on stepping into a crisis.

While Green was installed as number one following the departure of Paddy Kenny – and Brian Murphy would sit on the bench, I always had the impression – rightly or wrongly – that Cerny would leapfrog Murphy in the event of an injury.

The 38-year-old has had well-documented injury woes but was handed a new extension to his deal further adding credence to the theory that he was a man wanted in W12, unlike Murphy who has been earmarked to leave – alluded to previously.

Where is the value therefore in loaning out the veteran ‘keeper, when in truth more games and training is the last thing required on the agenda. It certainly raises questions as to why therefore he has been left out.

To be loaned out at this stage in his career is not something necessarily that the ‘keeper looks like he is courting – indeed he seems comfortable to work within the current set-up, not putting unnecessary strain on some evident ailments, and stepping in when required.

There appears to be no discernible value in loaning Cerny out. On the playing and training front, there is little left in the tank. From a financial side, I am sure that any prospective loan club would be wanting to bear a chunk of his wages for someone albeit talented but due to injuries, perhaps unreliable.

This is not in any way to deride his talent and skill – in fact it makes it more surprising that he was omitted as third choice in the first place – but loaning out Cerny is something that doesn’t quite add up in my mind – how about you?