Appearing on the Yours, Mine, Away podcast, Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper hinted at a possible return to action ahead of the 2023/24 Championship season.
The keeper featured in the EFL League One team of the season despite being out for the final three months of the season. Cooper sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (Acl) injury against Sheffield Wednesday on the 4th of February. Argyle fans were no doubt worried following the 2021/22 player of the season’s injury as he has been one of if not the best shot stopper in League One over the last couple of seasons.
Fortunately, back-up keeper Callum Burton hardly put a foot wrong during his 17 appearances for Argyle at the end of the season, which saw The Pilgrims get over the line and win the League One title. Burton’s performances have now attracted interest from a host of Championship and League One sides, and with Cooper potentially returning prior to the start of the season, Plymouth may want to cash in. Any extra money will help boost their transfer budget massively in what will be their first season in the Championship since 2009/10.
Steven Schumacher has done an incredible job at Plymouth and was rewarded by being announced as the EFL League One manager of the season. Schumacher’s side shrugged off competition from Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday for the title and he’ll want to hit the ground running in the second tier. The recruitment last summer was incredible, most notably the loan signing of versatile right-back Bali Mumba on loan from Norwich. Mumba was another who made it into the EFL team of the season, and Argyle may explore making his signing permanent in the summer. They’ll need to yet again be smart with their recruitment if they are to compete next season
Who is Michael Cooper?
The 23-year-old came through the academy at Plymouth, making his debut at just 18 years of age. He cemented his spot as number one in the 2020/21 season, where he played in every league game that season. The following year was really a break out season for the keeper, conceding just 48 goals in 46 games and keeping 18 clean sheets on his way to winning player of the season at the club as well as making the EFL team of the year. He is currently under contract till 2025 with The Pilgrims, although has attracted interest from elsewhere. Plymouth will be very reluctant to seek given his performances for the club and the part that he has played in promotion back to the second tier.
What did he say?
Regarding his return from injury, Cooper said:
“If I can get on the grass in June, not even kicking a ball but getting running on the grass again with cones and all that sort of stuff it will be huge.”
“Luckily, I’ve got quite an extensive pre-season. Getting a serious injury is never ideal but I looked at it when I got injured and said it was probably the perfect time to do it because there’s a chance to get back for the start of the season, obviously with three months off no competitive games.”
Writer’s View
If he does return for the start of the Championship season, then this will be a huge boost to Plymouth’s chances of challenging in the league next season. It will be no surprise to see Cooper in the Premier League one day as he’s truly one of the best keeper’s in the EFL. The sky is the limit for the 23-year-old and he’ll be relishing his chance to play in the Championship for the first time next season.
