Sunderland Transfers: 5 Replacements For Simon Mignolet

2. Shay Given

Shay Given In 2011, Shay Given moved to Aston Villa from Manchester City following the emergence of Joe Hart as the obvious No.1 candidate at the Etihad, but his arrival also coincided with the return from loan of American keeper Brad Guzan. At first, Guzan acted as understudy to Given and made just eight Premier League appearances following his move from Hull while Given featured 32 times. Last season though saw a role-reversal and Guzan ousted the veteran from between the sticks limiting the ex-Newcastle man to a mere two league appearances, with the 37-year-old being dumped to the bench. And that could lead to the Northern Irishman seeking pastures new next season for it is unlikely he will reclaim his place in Paul Lambert's starting eleven now. An FA Cup winner with City and a veteran of almost 20 years of experience, Given still has much to offer and could prefer a return to Sunderland, where he spent time on loan in 1996, to warming the bench at Villa Park again.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.