Republic of Ireland duo Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan recently helped Aston Villa earn promotion to the Premier League.
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy had admitted that he wouldn’t be surprised if Glenn Whelan is playing in the Premier League with Aston Villa next season.
The 35-year-old, who recently helped Villa make a return to the promised land, has a contract which runs out at the end of next month [transfermarkt] and it remains to be seen if it’ll be renewed by the club.
Dean Smith’s side have produced outstanding performances in these last few months and Whelan has played a huge part in their success.
Speaking to Off the Ball’s official YouTube account (29/05/2019), McCarthy was full of praise for Whelan and his Irish club teammate Conor Hourihane.
On Hourihane and Whelan earning promotion to PL: “Unfortunately, it’s one of those bitter-sweet ones when you get promoted,” McCarthy told Off the Ball. “You never quite sure what is going to happen in terms of transfer quality.
“But the way the two of them, it wouldn’t surprise me if Glenn [Whelan] is there and he plays in the Premier League the way he keeps carrying on. I think Conor has been excellent this year, he certainly has been for us. If they are both playing, it’s good for them and good for me.”
Both Hourihane and Whelan have played a huge part in why Villa will be playing Premier League football next season, with the duo providing both defensive and attacking qualities to the team.
Whelan’s performances have especially stood out because when Dean Smith arrived at the club in October, given his attacking playing style, many would have felt that Whelan would not have suited his system.
But, in fact, it has been the opposite as the experienced campaigner has produced his best football in a Villa shirt, not under the more defensive-minded Steve Bruce, but the more attack-minded Smith.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
