Scout Report – Connor Goldson
Brighton and Hove Albion defender Connor Goldson is about to head back to the Championship to join Ipswich Town as the last minute burst of transfer activity reaches a crescendo.
The 24-year-old joins the Tractor Boys on loan, so long as the Seagulls can bring in defensive cover of their own, as he wishes to finally get some regular game time. Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy seem to have the central defensive positions sewn up, with Uwe Huenemeier providing good back up at first team level.
Here’s what we know about him so far:
History
Goldson was born in Wolverhampton but began his football education down in Shrewsbury. He quickly ascented into the Shrews’ first team set-up though and between 2010 and 2015, he played 106 league games, managing to chip in with 8 goals to boot.
Between those games and a short spell on loan at Cheltenham Town too, Goldson impressed watchers for Brighton and they picked him up in August 2015. In his two years at the club, he has managed to make 29 league appearances for the Seagulls but finds himself somewhat down the pecking order now that the club are in the Premier League. So he is now in need of games.
Style Of Play
Although not a frightening presence, Goldson is tall enough and strong enough to be able to use his frame to good effect as a centre-back and is good from set-pieces at both ends.
He’s steady and composed, and in fact, his calmness on the ball means he has been deployed in central midfield as well as at the back. He can fill-in at full-back as well. His versatility will no doubt have come to the attention of Mick McCarthy at Ipswich, just as much as his ability.
Goldson’s Future
Cruel though as it sounds, Goldson’s future is probably not in the Premier League. So a lot depends on how well his parent club do over the course of the next 8 months. Should Brighton go down and need to cut their cloth, Goldson would be ideal for them next term, stepping straight into the side at Championship level.
Should Brighton survive and/or have an increased budget for playing staff, then Goldson could find himself looking for a permanent transfer next summer. Whether that would be with Ipswich again depends on how well the club does and what ambition the player has when next pre-season rolls around.