At the start of the month, the transfer window officially opened in England and for a couple of months talk has been high within the media over what players will be moving around the country to different clubs as well as across continents. It’s a time when fans get emotional over big stars leaving their club or set to arrive, according to rumours, with rejection of the rumours something that is seen regularly across fan bases.
Just think for a second though, how it must feel to be a footballer in one of the most watched transfer markets in world sport. The uncertainty over where you will be at the end of the window and whether you will have to uproot your family or not, moving to another part of the country whilst also thinking about whether the particular move will be beneficial to you or your career. It raises a lot of questions.
On transfer deadline day in January 2014, Joe Ledley was one of five players to join Crystal Palace with the Welshman joining from Scottish side Celtic for a fee believed to be close to £2.5m. It is fair to say that the 28-year-old has settled in well at the club, scoring four goals in 49 appearances and became a regular in Alan Pardew’s midfield last season.
Speaking about signing for the club on transfer deadline day in an interview back in February, Ledley said: “Personally for myself, I found it the most stressful thing of my life. I didn’t know what I was doing, I didn’t know if I was coming or going.
“It’s a big decision on you within a few hours and I think I made the right decision, playing in the Premier League – the best division in the world and we’ve got a fantastic team, hopefully we can keep on building.”
Ahead of the opening of the current transfer window, the Welsh midfielder was subject of rumours about his future at the club with speculation arising that Cardiff City and West Brom were both interested in securing his services, but after that the player denied all reports whilst stating that he wants to stay at Selhurst Park.
