Emile Heskey has advised Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle to avoid the temptation of a Premier League move and stay with the Latics, according to Football League World.
Tickle is said to be interesting Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United as the January transfer window begins to loom large.
Why The Interest In Tickle?
Wigan’s season hasn’t gone the way the club and its supporters would have hoped, as Shaun Maloney’s men find themselves in 18th and just three points above the bottom four.
Despite the inconsistent start, Tickle has kept seven clean sheets in 12 games and has only conceded on nine occasions.
- 33 saves
- 78.6% shots saved
- 1.70 goals prevented
- 0 errors leading to a goal
His stats so far this season, according to FotMob, highlight the 22-year-old’s importance to his team. They also offer an insight into why such clubs as Arsenal and Manchester United are showing an interest in the England Under 21 international stopper.
Former England Striker Offers Advice
Heskey, himself a former Wigan player, has said Tickle would be better served staying at The Brick Community Stadium to continue playing regularly.
“If I was to give advice, I would tell him to stay because you want game time.”
“When you’re at a young age playing week-in, week-out, we’ve seen a lot of young players doing really well and make that move [and struggle].”
The 62-cap former England man believes his old club will find it difficult to hold on to Tickle but having a full season at Wigan would benefit the keeper.
“It’s important for him to get a full season, he’s going to attract attention because of how well he’s playing. It will be difficult to keep hold of him, but my advice would be to stay until the end of the season and have a full season behind you and then look at a move, but it’s got to be the right move.”
Writer’s View
Chances to move from League One to a club like Arsenal or Manchester United don’t come along too often so no one will begrudge Tickle deciding to move.
Heskey is right that the young keeper needs to be playing games, perhaps a transfer and an immediate loan would be the best fit.
