Why Bristol City must tie down Callum O’Dowda to a new deal
EFL Championship outfit Bristol City are set to offer winger Callum O’Dowda a new and improved contract, as per reports from the Bristol Post. According to the report, no agreement has been reached between the two parties as of yet but the wheels are set in motion.
O’Dowda is currently in the final year of his contract with Bristol City and the 23-year-old joined the Robins from boyhood club Oxford United back in the summer of 2016.
Since moving to Ashton Gate, the Irishman has established himself as a first-team regular. Barring a lengthy layoff owing to an ankle surgery in the last season, the winger has seldom missed a run of games for Bristol City.
So far, he has gone made 80 appearances for the club, scoring twice and assisting 12 more for his teammates. In the ongoing term, the Republic of Ireland international has featured in each of the Robins’ 12 Championship matches, racking up three assists to his name.
A left winger by trade, the 23-year-old is a versatile operator and plays either on the right flank or in a central attacking midfield role. O’Dowda might not be the most prolific goal-scorers around but he plays a critical role for manager Lee Johnson at the Ashton Gate.
With pace and trickery, along with loads of energy, the 12-time capped Republic of Ireland international can beat his man with ease and backs it up with quality crosses into the box.
What makes him such an asset to the team is the fact that he is unafraid to do the dirty work off the ball. Strong at tackling and winning aerial duels, the 23-year-old often tracks back and helps his team out in defence.
At 23, O’Dowda is still improving as a player and will only get better from here on. He might not be the flashiest of the wingers but gets the job done for his team and is trusted by the manager a great deal.
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The Irishman has his best years in front of him and having lost some of their bright talents like Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid in the summer, Bristol City are doing the right thing by securing O’Dowda’s long-term future.
