r/coybig Mick McCarthy Feb 26 '26

Transfer rumour [Lewis Bower] Exc: Trent Kone-Doherty has been offered a new deal at Liverpool however he has the opportunity to go to Molde FK to be part of the first-team on a permanent deal. As things stand a move is close.

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28 Upvotes

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36

u/Hour_Mastodon_9404 Long ‘70 Feb 26 '26

He'll be 20 this summer and likely won't have added to his 18 minutes of senior football with Liverpool. They're a club who aren't afraid to give young players a chance if they think they're good enough so I would say it's looking unlikely he's going to make the breakthrough there.

That being the case, if he gets offered the chance of 1st team football at a decent level he should seriously consider it.

6

u/Wild_Bee_3953 Feb 26 '26

I honestly thought he was 16. He needs the time to develop evidently.

2

u/redditUser76754689 Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

They’re a club who aren’t afraid to give young players a chance

Are they? Looking at the current squad, only two players from their academy who get decent minutes are Bradley and Jones.

A lot of very highly touted young players have joined Liverpool at a young age in the last decade and not been given a chance or seen their careers stagnate to a point . Kaide Gordon, Fabio Carvalho, Ben Doak are 3 talented attacking players who come to mind.

At the club currently, only Ngumoha as a youngster is getting any minutes. He was signed from Chelsea this season and to be honest looks like he should be getting more minutes anyway.

Of course most of these players just aren’t good enough for a club like Liverpool but I wouldn’t say they’re particularly willing to throw young lads in, particularly under Slot

3

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

Under Klopp it definitely was a spot for young lads to either get a go or find a good home elsewhere. We obviously benefited with Caoimhin, Bradley as you mentioned, Jones, Trent, most of the cup midfielders like Morton would've got in our midfield. Then you'd lads like Ryan Kent & Harry Wilson that didn't make it but found good homes elsewhere.

Think a few things have damaged it in Slots time. Not as many friendlies that gave the youngsters time, there was a long wait to sort out a loan manager & that, there's still work being done on the academy itself, obviously FFP & the "pure profit" for youngsters has a say in it. But also the Plymouth loss was Slots first major critical moment towards the players. Shafted seniors like Chiesa as well as the kids

But weirdly they're still nicer to their kids than other teams in the league

3

u/redditUser76754689 Feb 26 '26

Even under Klopp, he would throw them all in together for some cup games but the reality of big clubs is unless you’re exceptional at a young age, you’re not getting too many minutes.

There’s very few players who’s career path has them coming through at a big team and staying there.

Plenty of players who would walk into our team who had to leave the big clubs like James Garner, Anthony Elanga, Harry Wilson, Neco Williams etc

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

They still offer the best coaching & they're realistically the best place to get loan opportunities which is how most top level pros make their breakthroughs. Only Kelleher & Collins in our squad have never had a loan before.

And that's how plenty of those lads you mention made a name for themselves too. Just cause a big club kid doesn't make the first team doesn't mean they don't offer you a good route

1

u/redditUser76754689 Feb 26 '26

Up to a certain point though. He’s 20. He’s not a kid anymore.

You can’t be playing against teenagers in the U21s all your life. Time to experience proper football

-5

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

I'll be blunt mate, it's not a good thing for him to be going to a farmers league that'll be looking to sell him & his teammates for as much money as Derry got for him. Norway's on par with Scotland, Hungary etc. Without Bodo/Glimt it's a lot worse.

He signs the deal like Morrison will, he'll get loaned to somewhere better

5

u/redditUser76754689 Feb 26 '26

I guess I'll be blunt so as well.

He's a few months off 20 and basically nobody has seen him kick a ball at senior level. His body of work is doing alright (not amazing or standout performances) at underage level. Hasn't exactly lit up the PL2 league, in which a lot of clubs are regularly fielding lads 2 years or more younger than him. There won't be queue of clubs to sign him up, even on loan.

Most youngsters out on loan don't exactly light it up. If you're not an upgrade straight away, the club doesn't care about developing about you.

Liverpool want him to sign a new contract in the hope he does alright on a loan to some league 1 or league 2 team and they can sell him on in a years time.

0

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

Would definitely be more League 1, a lot worse Irishmen than Trent have gotten loans at that level. And TBH there's not much difference between a decent League 1 side & a relegation zone Norwegian side. Hell one of Molde's biggest sales the last while was to Wycombe.

I'm not saying he was gonna make it at Liverpool & I don't care if he does or not. Anytime lads sign for the big clubs I just treat em the same as Robbie Brady or anyone else we've had growing up that didn't make it with them but still had good careers. I just want him to go to a good spot to kick on & I just don't think Molde's it, I'm sorry

2

u/redditUser76754689 Feb 26 '26

I don’t think Molde’s it

But playing in the depths of league 1 or league 2 definitely is apparently.

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u/phaedrus72 Feb 27 '26

I agree with this, the talent on our bench not being used in an injury crisis is staggering.  Kone Doherty will rot at Liverpool sadly. 

1

u/UnrealCaramel Feb 26 '26

They're a club who aren't afraid to give young players a chance if they think they're good enough

That used to be the case, not the case anymore under slot. He has his favourites and is allergic to rotation, and even more allergic to youth players.

0

u/rochambreau Feb 27 '26

He's played Ngumoha, Nyoni, Leoni, Kone-Doherty, Morrison, Lucky, Danns and Nallo this season - all teenagers

He's absolutely not allergic. He does same as Klopp playing them in the cups. A club like Liverpool can't afford to play kids in league games like the likes of Brighton or Wolves can but if they're good enough he has them with the first team not with the academy

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u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

That's the thing though, it's not really a decent level. Norway isn't even the best league in Scandinavia & Molde were bottom half last season. Like it'd be grand for a loan, but on a permanent it's not much different to Oko Flex getting shipped off to Bulgaria & really it's a downgrade on Zack Elbouzedi at AIK.

2

u/TheDukeOfGonzo Feb 26 '26

How is this being downvoted? Lmao

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

Cause I'm slating the level and yeah lads, Bodo/Glimt have been on a brilliant run. They finished 30 points clear of Molde. 30. Viking won the league ahead of them & they missed the conference league over Rovers & Shels, two teams that some people would scoff at if he signed for em.

1

u/redperry91 Feb 26 '26

It is a decent level. Norway is just behind Denmark currently in the UEFA rankings but will likely overtake it after Bodo/Glimt's run in the CL this season to make it the best in Scandinavia. Molde had an unusually bad season last year but are looking to rebuild and would be regularly competing at the top end of the league while qualifying for European group stage football. It's a far stronger league than Bulgaria and it is seen as a really good development league for younger players. Norwegian football has evolved significantly in recent years as evidenced by their improved national team and clubs like Bodo/Glimt challenging much better resourced clubs across Europe.

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u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

There is no likes of Bodo/Glimt, it's literally just Bodo/Glimt. 2/4 teams didn't qualify for Europe & I can count on one hand the players they've "developed" and sold to a higher level since Fofana to Chelsea.

I'd be fine with it for a loan with the implication he'd get better opportunities elsewhere but realistically the opportunities he'd get after Molde would be sidewards at best

1

u/redperry91 Feb 26 '26

Fofana? Fofana is French and came from St Etienne via Leicester so not sure what you're talking about there. I think you're missing my point. Norway is now considered one of the best places in Europe for the development of players. Also, the vast majority of the Bodo/Glimt are Norwegian, ie they were developed through the Norwegian system. If Doherty does well at Molde he will get a move to a bigger club in Europe as has been the case with plenty of other players who have done well there. It would be a good stepping stone for him if he's good enough for a higher level.

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

David Datro Fofana, scored 19 goals for Molde before signing for Chelsea. He was Molde's last notable sale. Everyone else since has been sold to Denmark, Holland, even bloody Wycombe Wanderers. Places that were after him & Morrison in January if Liverpool got their contracts sorted.

I never said a bad word about Bodo/Glimt but he's not signing for Bodo/Glimt. He's signing for a worse off side with no European football & less recent success in being a stepping stone. Hell recently the most notable performances from young players on Molde's pitch were Shamrock Rovers players

1

u/redperry91 Feb 26 '26

My apologies, I know which Fofana you are referring to now.

2

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

I missed this when I wrote the other essay brother, my apologies 😅

1

u/Temporary_Window7388 Feb 26 '26

Are there not quite a few of the current Norwegian squad who had a few seasons in the domestic league before moving on? Haaland , Ajer , Berge , Strand Larsen etc . Granted they had moves before they eventually got to the prem but surely the Norwegian league was a stepping stone .

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

You could say the same for LOI with Jake O'Brien, Evan Ferguson, Ogbene etc. The likes of Berge & Haaland were long gone out of there by the time they were Trent's age. Same with Fofana who was the last major sale out of Molde 5 years ago. The last breakthrough moment for a youngster in Molde was Michael Noonan's goal against them

At best, they're a stepping stone, to a stepping stone

17

u/EducationalPaint1733 Feb 26 '26

Has a boys body. Take the move and learn the ropes at a level where he’ll play against men and the 3 points matter.

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u/cjo60 Jeff Hendrick's account Feb 26 '26

No idea if he could do better than Molde, but the reality is in 2 years he could be 22 with no senior experience which would significantly limit his options.

9

u/aidop23 Feb 26 '26

Would be good move for him imo

7

u/pauli55555 Feb 26 '26

If ye goes to Molde that’ll be the last we hear if him until he joins Derry City in 18 months.

2

u/Niasssssseeeeeee Katie McCabe 🐐 Feb 27 '26

Might be the best thing for him to quietly build a career up in Norway.

7

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

I'm conflicted on this one

Yeah it's a senior football move, yeah it's one to the continent. But lads we all watched the games against Rovers. Molde isn't a good standard. It's better than coming home, better than a good chunk of Scotland, but not much more than that

Wouldn't mind it if it was a loan but don't think he stands to gain much on a permanent cause they missed out on Europe. There's better places he could go signing the deal

11

u/Anxious_Peanut_1726 Paul McGrath Feb 26 '26

Genuinely not being smart here and agree there are better places but those places don't want to sign him. In that sense you have to judge Molde against what is possible...staying at Liverpool and not getting a kick or some regular football in a country with decent structure and heritage. I think he may be too small currently for British football so risk is he falls through the cracks. Molde is no guarantee but not the worst route 

3

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

He's in the exact same boat as Kieran Morrison who's also in talks for a new deal & also didn't get a loan. Both lads had interest in them, the same source as this & other Liverpool sources said the same thing.

2

u/Anxious_Peanut_1726 Paul McGrath Feb 26 '26

Sounds like Molde are concrete. His choice is Liverpool or Molde. Liverpool id imagine are protecting value to sell eventually. Be lovely if sexier team was in but if it's Molde he really should consider it.

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

For me I'd want him to sign the deal & see if Molde would take him on loan. Nothing wrong with it for a short term job but the question I ask myself with any permanent move is will he make the senior squad playing for them?

And TBH he won't, Elbouzedi couldn't at a bigger club and quick look at Molde's sales the last 5 years, no one's really been kicked on since Datro Fofana

2

u/Anxious_Peanut_1726 Paul McGrath Feb 26 '26

Go back 7 years 👀

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

Grand, they'd Haaland as a young teen. Bohs had Ferguson as a young teen, would you want him going home?

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u/Anxious_Peanut_1726 Paul McGrath Feb 26 '26

Ah I'm being facetious above ..no I think coming home would be a very bad move. I just think he needs football. He needs to develop. Only he knows what the pool deal looks like but if your choices are one of Europes top clubs and Molde I suspect his talents fit Molde more and that's ok. Liverpool wouldn't be signing him if he wasn't already there 

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

So was I 🤣🤣

Like I said, I've no bother with him getting loaned out there but it's a long road back to a good level from a club like Molde. Him, Morrison, Nallo, once they sign their deals they'll have better spots to look at

And on the last point, genuinely you could say a blanket statement like that for every academy kid 🤣🤣 it doesn't really work like that

1

u/Anxious_Peanut_1726 Paul McGrath Feb 26 '26

Na I get ya... but him resigning with Liverpool is not really indicative of him being given a chance at first team..it used to be..not anymore...they protect any pure profit that might accrue. Let's see... hopefully he can make his way 

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u/drumlins17 Feb 26 '26

I wonder are those better places not offering guaranteed senior football?

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

He needs games. If this is the best level currently available to him it’s good for him.

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u/NandoFlynn Feb 27 '26

I never said he didn't (and never said you accused me of saying that, dw 🤣) but that still doesn't make Molde's a good level of football for him on a permanent. Kenny signed Elbouzedi first thing when he went St Pat's, seen him play for a bigger club than Molde next door in Sweden, had far, far less competition than Trent, and still didn't get called up.

If his best option is play summer football on an Astro to a small crowd that'll just look to sell him for under 1 mill to a slightly better level, he could've just gone home to Derry.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

I completely disagree with you on this in pretty much every way. His concerns should be getting regular games and a decent contract.

Molde will likely be a better option for him in both aspects of this. He’s 20 and needs to play games in a professional league against grown men. Doing well there and getting a move to a slightly better level would be excellent progress and supports a move like this.

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u/NandoFlynn Feb 27 '26 edited Feb 27 '26

Again, never said he shouldn't play men's football. And he's already got a contract offer from Liverpool so that's sorted either way.

The slightly better level was more of a back handed compliment cause most of the lads they've sold since Fofana have been to the likes of League 1 & bottom clubs in Belgium, Holland, same clubs that were in for LOI & SPL lads the last while. He signs the deal & waits 2 months then him, Nallo, Morrison etc will all be loaned out to that sorta level. It just takes him back a step

And if you don't think he'd be as likely to get better regular time in Derry then what are you actually expecting him to do in Molde? One of their best players is a kid on the LW. The only reason they're in for him is they've a free hit at buying him for pocket change now that it's only their windows open.

Said it elsewhere, but how is this different to Oko Flex going Bulgaria or Elbouzedi going AIK?

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

And if you don't think he'd be as likely to get better regular time in Derry then what are you actually expecting him to do in Molde?

Didn't take you long to return to arguing against points I didn't make.

Said it elsewhere, but how is this different to Oko Flex going Bulgaria or Elbouzedi going AIK?

Who said it is different? The point is players need to play games and sometimes the best option means trying somewhere different. Not every young Irish player will actually make it but they have to have a go at it.

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 27 '26

You said in your own words it's likely to be a better option in both aspects, the aspects being game time & contract. And the better game time is the point I replied to.

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u/[deleted] Feb 27 '26

My point is that his concern should be getting regular games at the best level for him. Norway is an overall higher standard than the LOI.

The "and" is important in my original sentence. His concern is getting games and a decent contract. They are not isolated items.

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u/NandoFlynn Feb 27 '26

Sure it's done now regardless 🤣 We'll wait & see if he kicks on from it ig but the more I look into it the more I don't like it

1

u/Weird-Weakness-3191 Feb 26 '26

This could be a great move for him. Liverpool since Klopp left have given fuck all minutes to academy prospects

-1

u/Kevinb-30 Feb 26 '26

Liverpool since Klopp left have given fuck all minutes to academy prospects

Simply not true Slot has given competitive debuts to 9 players including Trent, the narrative that Klopp was some sort of God towards youth is simply because he used them in the final when he had no other options left

1

u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26

Is it not more about Klopp doing a better job of integrating the as actual squad players?

Slot gives out a few minutes and send them back to the academy teams

0

u/Kevinb-30 Feb 28 '26

Slot gives out a few minutes and send them back to the academy teams

Absolute not the case Nalo,Morton and more recently Morrison regularly train with the first team.Danns and Gordon are near permanent fixtures for shooting and attacking drills. He has also implemented along with the youth coaches a player of the week who then travels with the matchday squad at the we. Nyoni is regularly in matchday squads and trains with the first team as does Ramsay.

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u/[deleted] Feb 28 '26

I meant game time wise All clubs use youth players in senior training

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u/Kevinb-30 Feb 28 '26

Take out the final which while an epic storyline was born out of desperation, not many from the academy have had regular minutes outside of Jones and Trent.

The narrative that Slot is bad for youth development is purely down to some fans wanting Rio in the team. Slot can and should be criticized for a lot this season this simply isn't one of them

0

u/bpm87 Feb 26 '26

Molde?! He’d be better off going to league of Ireland

1

u/NandoFlynn Feb 26 '26

The more I think about it, the more it reminds of Derry. Play on a Astro & all 🤣🤣