Dons may lose Aluko for month

vidal also likely to be missed if england go all the way in egypt

By Michael Gannon

 

Published: 16/05/2009

 

 

FORWARD THINKING: Sone Aluko could be used in a more advanced position against Rangers at Ibrox today

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Aberdeen could be without influential attacker Sone Aluko for up to a month next season.

 

The 20-year-old forward has been notified he is likely to be selected for England for the under-20 World Cup in Egypt in September.

 

England have been drawn in Group D alongside Uruguay, Ghana and Uzbekistan and are fancied to reach the latter stages.

 

The Dons would be powerless to prevent one of their top performers taking part, which could see him away from SPL duty for up to four weeks. On-loan Manchester City defender Javan Vidal is also likely to be included in the squad and, with the Dons hopeful of extending the 20-year-old’s stay at Pittodrie into next season, he too would be unavailable.

 

Vidal has seen his opportunities limited at Aberdeen but played in his favoured right-back role against Hearts where he formed an impressive partnership with Aluko.

 

Manager Jimmy Calderwood said: “It looks like Sone will be in the England squad for the World Cup so that could rule him out for a month.

 

“I am not sure yet if we have got to let him go but I noticed Arsene Wenger complaining about Theo Walcott being in the squad. Javal Vidal is in there as well so if we managed to get him back it could also be a problem.

 

“We have looked at a few of those players but the last thing you want is to lose players for a month because England have a chance to win it.

 

“That will be something to worry about next season. We are still hoping to get Javan back but understandably Manchester City want to put him through pre-season.â€

 

Vidal and Aluko could be utilised again at Ibrox against Rangers today, although Calderwood may opt to field Aluko in a more advanced position – which caused problems for the Light Blues in Aberdeen’s last trip to Glasgow.

 

He said: “Sone played a central role last time and it worked very well.

 

“We will have to see what personnel we have available before deciding this time.

 

“Pace is going to be important if we want to get them turning.

 

Meanwhile, Aberdeen attacker Jamie Smith is set to hold talks with American MLS side Toronto, who are managed by former Celtic and Rangers forward Mo Johnstone.

 

Aberdeen defender Lee Mair is also out of contract but could be offered new terms depending on Calderwood’s budget for next season.

 

The centre back has intimated he wishes to remain at Pittodrie, despite interest from SPL side St Mirren.

 

As much of an annoyance that this is, it is good to have someone who is getting games for England at an international level, despite it only being the under 20's. Just means the rest of the team need to get our season off to a flying start without 

Can only bump up his profile, price and experience. So a month out is a small price for us to pay for having a player gain that sort on their CV.

Someone at the EE needs to do their homework (shocking, I know). Toronto are currently managed by Chris Cummins, of Watford fame. MoJo has moved into a director of fitba type role.

Can only bump up his profile, price and experience. So a month out is a small price for us to pay for having a player gain that sort on their CV.

 

I agree it will be good for his price tag and it will also give him more experience. It does strike me a strange time to have the competition, but if it is in Egypt I suppose they have to have it a bit later in the year for the heat.

He may not even be playing for us by then. The way he is going, Celtic will be trying to rob him any day soon.

He may not even be playing for us by then. The way he is going, Celtic will be trying to rob him any day soon.

 

Dont think we would sell to them as they wont offer enough to give Birmingham their cut and leave us with any decent amount of money. Hold onto him and reap the money next season.

Dont think we would sell to them as they wont offer enough to give Birmingham their cut and leave us with any decent amount of money. Hold onto him and reap the money next season.

We should be offering him a 5 year deal to stave off any form of interest. Although he does flatter to deceive at times he's still the most exciting prospect we have. Definitely a player we should be taking a gamble on.

We should be offering him a 5 year deal to stave off any form of interest. Although he does flatter to deceive at times he's still the most exciting prospect we have. Definitely a player we should be taking a gamble on.

 

Was great at Ibrox, was skinning Huns all over the place.

 

Just needs to work on his end product.

Was great at Ibrox, was skinning Huns all over the place.

 

Just needs to work on his end product.

Yeah, thats what I said in the MOTM thread. Give him a couple of years and I reckon he could be a Premiership squad player. Christ look at players like Aaron Lennon. I think he's terrible but some experts rate him at about 10million quid!

Christ look at players like Aaron Lennon. I think he's terrible but some experts rate him at about 10million quid!

 

I think he's a superb player.  I saw him play as a kid in the Leeds Utd team at Elland Road and he was the best player on the pitch by an absolute mile.

Lennon may not be the best comparison, but if Hutton is worth 8 million......

I think he's a superb player.  I saw him play as a kid in the Leeds Utd team at Elland Road and he was the best player on the pitch by an absolute mile.

Yeah he's superb until he comes up against a player of the quality of Evra, Cole or Clichy, when he's not shooting and when he's not trying to cross the ball.

Lennon may not be the best comparison, but if Hutton is worth 8 million......

 

When he went to Spurs, I thought £8million was laughable, but since he's been there the only times i've seen him play are for Scotland, and he looked to be worth every last pfennig.

Unfortunately the 'value' of a player is not absolute. The financial and management strength of the club they are signed with has a large amount to do with it. Our management won't put him on a long term contract so he will always be one or two seasons away from his contract end and therefor vulnerable to poaching. Clubs will also know what we would accept for a player and so will bid accordingly.

 

Put Megan Fox in a high class 'escort agency' and you will pay top dollar to fuck her. Put her on the streets  of Montrose and you aren't gonna shell out much more than £30 for a pop.

pfennig.

 

 

Unfortunately the 'value' of a player is not absolute. The financial and management strength of the club they are signed with has a large amount to do with it. Our management won't put him on a long term contract so he will always be one or two seasons away from his contract end and therefor vulnerable to poaching. Clubs will also know what we would accept for a player and so will bid accordingly.

 

Put Megan Fox in a high class 'escort agency' and you will pay top dollar to fuck her. Put her on the streets  of Montrose and you aren't gonna shell out much more than £30 for a pop.

Exquisite.

 

 

 

100 Pfennig's make a Mark.

 

When he went to Spurs, I thought £8million was laughable, but since he's been there the only times i've seen him play are for Scotland, and he looked to be worth every last pfennig.

 

You can say what you like about walter smith but its because of him hutton turned into a player.  When PLG was there he was hung out to dry and given no instruction on how to play.  Under smith's tutelage he started playing to his strengths and the results were phenomenal.  Great player, in the italy game at hampden he was by a mile the best player on the park

100 Pfennig's make a Mark.

 

 

 

Naturlich!

Was just sent this link by my Nigerian mate.

 

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=8635

Blimey, thats quite impressive! Two countries after him.

 

This bit amused me though

 

Bayode: 2009-05-25 20:34

 

This is another fire-brigade approach xtic of Amodu and NFF. Amodu must Go! Amodu must Go! Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!Amodu must Go!

 

Blimey, thats quite impressive! Two countries after him.

 

This bit amused me though

 

Amodu is god you bam.

Blimey, thats quite impressive! Two countries after him.

 

This bit amused me though

 

 

Will be interesting to hear what he ends up doing.  At his age, he must still harbour hopes of one day being good enough to play for England.

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/details.php?category=news&id=8281

 

Another story here, which also mentions his sister is a full England International.

 

But, good on him! I've no doubt in my mind that he's only getting called up as he is UK based, and the game is here, but as it's a friendly it won't stop him playing for England one day (if my understanding of the rules is correct)

 

Does he have a Scottish grand-parent?

 

Also, I read, Powlett is English, he's not eligible to play for Scotland, even though he's been in Aberdeen since he was 5, sad times (potentially)

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/details.php?category=news&id=8281

 

Another story here, which also mentions his sister is a full England International.

 

But, good on him! I've no doubt in my mind that he's only getting called up as he is UK based, and the game is here, but as it's a friendly it won't stop him playing for England one day (if my understanding of the rules is correct)

 

Does he have a Scottish grand-parent?

 

Also, I read, Powlett is English, he's not eligible to play for Scotland, even though he's been in Aberdeen since he was 5, sad times (potentially)

 

Aye Aluko's sister got mentioned when we first signed him on loan. it is probably the only reason, but who cares, as I mentioned when he got the England u-20 call up, its good that we have players of this calibre at the club! 

Hes been called up by the full Nigerian squad

 

http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/clubNewsDetail/0,,10284~1667288,00.html

 

Dons star Sone Aluko has been called up by Nigeria to play in this Friday evening's full international friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

 

The 20-year-old, capped at all levels up to and including Under 19 by England, says it was a tough choice to switch allegiance but one that he made with the full support of his family. "Although I was born in London, my family are from Nigeria and it was a tough choice to make.

 

"However, the call from Nigeria was too strong to turn down and the chance to be involved at full international level, and possibly World Cup qualifiers, at my age was one I could not pass by. I spoke it through with my family and they are completely behind my decision, which was one made from the heart as well as the head."

 

Following Friday's match, Nigeria face France in Saint Etienne on June 2 and then two 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifying matches later in the month against Kenya and Tunisia.

 

Sone's elder sister, Eniola is also a footballer and plays for England at full international level