3 months ago
27
ANDROS TOWNSEND revealed live on air that even he doesn’t know whether he has a contract with Turkish side Antalyaspor.
The former Tottenham and England winger, 33, signed a deal with the continental side after leaving Luton Town this summer.
ReutersBut the Turks failed to get Townsend’s signature over the line before a transfer ban came into effect.
He is now in limbo, with Antalyaspor not even announcing his arrival — let alone registering him with their squad.
Townsend has since been training in Turkey without any knowledge of when he will officially become their player.
Yet he returned home this week to work as a co-commentator for ITV.
Saturday saw Townsend in Dublin for England’s 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Main commentator Sam Matterface used an injury break to Seamus Coleman to discuss Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, who moonlights as a dentist when he is out of work on the touchline.
Matterface quipped: “I suppose you need to find some way to fill a gap when you’re out of work.”
Townsend joked: “What do you think I’m doing here?”
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He was then asked about his playing situation.
Townsend answered: “I believe so (I’m contracted to Antalyaspor). I believe so (I signed a contract).
“Anything other than that I’ve no clue. Bit of both (training and on the beach).
“It’s a crazy scenario. The club’s got a transfer embargo, so they can’t announce or register me.
“I’m not even sure if I’m contracted but here we are.”
Townsend previously opened up on the bizarre move to Turkey.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live last month: “[It’s] three days before the start of the season at Luton.
“I get a call from Antalyaspor saying ‘We have an offer for you but you’ve got 24 hours to respond because we’ve got a transfer ban coming and we need to get you in before the transfer ban’.
“So no time to think about it. I managed to negotiate to be involved in the first game for Luton, played 10 minutes in that, and then it was literally all signed, all done.
“Then we missed the deadline by a couple of hours.
“So the contract is signed with Antalyaspor, they can’t officially register me, they can’t announce me because they have a transfer ban.
“So I’m literally just stuck in Antalyaspor just training. I don’t know who owns me. I don’t know where my contract is. So yeah, that’s me.”
England Player Ratings vs Ireland
DECLAN RICE silenced his Irish critics with a dominant display in England's Nations League opener.
Lee Carsley‘s players handed him a debut win as interim manager of the Three Lions.
Rice starred in the first half as he netted the opener and then set up England‘s second goal.
Jack Grealish doubled up for England after being set up by Rice 15 minutes later.
Anthony Gordon however faded in the match as he was not able to have as much success as Grealish.
SunSport’s Charlie Wyett has rated England’s players’ performance against Ireland…
JORDAN PICKFORD – 6
Pushed away a half decent shot from Sammie Szmodics at the start of the game but as England took control, he had a stress-free game.
After a difficult couple of weeks with Everton, he would have been grateful for this.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 7
Looked more at home at right-back compared to the disastrous midfield experiment at the Euros.
Stunning pass in a move that eventually led to the first goal. He has to remain as England’s right-back.
MARC GUEHI – 7
Enjoyed a decent Euros and switched over to the right of central defence as John Stones was named on the bench.
Looks increasingly like a top-drawer defender.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 7
Was left devastated after failing to make the Euro 2024 squad but he has enjoyed a decent start with Manchester United and looked solid here.
When he is not in the team, England do miss his aerial presence. 7
LEVI COLWILL – 7
Second appearance for England and was deployed at left-back.
Unlike the Euros, England have much better balance in defence with a natural left footer in this position. 7
DECLAN RICE – 9
Enjoyed an absolute stormer in what could have been a difficult afternoon.
Booed every time he touched the ball, the former Irish international quietened the boisterous home fans with a brilliant finish although refused to celebrate.
He then set up the second for Grealish.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Fits perfectly into Carsley’s style of play. Some of his passing was excellent, particularly in the final third of the pitch, and this included his part in the outstanding second goal.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Enjoying a terrific start to the season with Arsenal – he has been nominated as their player of the month – and played with plenty of confidence here.
Was involved in the second goal.
JACK GREALISH – 8
Left out of the Euros squad, but loved every minute of this.
A decent finish for 2-0 and unlike Rice, celebrated in front of the visiting fans by raising both arms in triumph.
ANTHONY GORDON – 6
Looked really lively early on but faded.
He should have put England ahead when clean through but was lucky that seconds later, Rice hammered his shot into the corner. 6
HARRY KANE – 6
Missed with a header and despite working hard, did not actually have that many chances despite England having so much possession.
Subs
Gibbs-White (for Grealish 77 mins) 6, Gomes (for Mainoo 77) 6, Eze (for Gordon 77 mins) 6, Bowen (for Kane 84 mins) 6, Stones (for Maguire 85) 6.
Subs not used: Henderson, Pope, Lewis, Gallagher, Livramento, Konsa, Madueke.
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