The New Kid on the Block! Remember the name Tyler Goodrham! by Bill Gaine (Irish Football Blog)
Country: Ireland/England
Date of Birth: 07/08/2003 (19 years old)
Place of Birth: High Wycombe, England
Height: —170cm
Youth Career: Reading FC, Oxford United
Current Club: Oxford United
Squad Number: 19
Current National Team: Ireland U21☘️
Position: Midfielder/Winger
Preferred Foot: Right
Market Value (by Tansfermarkt): €225.000
Contract Until: 30/06/2024
Player’s Agent: Extra Time Sports Agency
Transfer Rumours: Tyler has been tracked by Championship clubs in recent weeks/months
Similar “type” of Player: Lionel Messi
Strengths:
– Vision
– Passing
– Pace
– Technique
– Dribbling
– Versatility
– Balance/Agility
To Improve:
– Tyler given his size and body type has been reported by plenty of Oxford fans to be still adjusting to the more physical side of the game and due to his high-energy style can often occasionally tire himself out after 60/70 minutes.
– Like plenty of other young players Tyler (20) struggled in particular last season with consistency in his performances. However, to his credit that seems to have improved this year with him having three goals and one assist in five games at a G/A/90 of 1.42.
– Not something “to improve” but something to be mindful of is managing expectation levels and dealing with speculation, making the move (if he does eventually move from Oxford United) at the right time. However, everything I have from the kid in interviews, articles etc. is that he has the right mindset and people around him to keep his head down and working hard.
Style of Play:
– Technically Gifted Diminutive Attacker/Creative Midfielder
– Small Player (around 170cm) but a silky dribbler with a low centre of gravity the ball often looks like it’s glued to his feet! He will routinely beat players 1v1
– Extremely quick and agile
– An inch-perfect passer of the ball with superb timing and vision
– Full of energy with a high work rate he presses high and runs his socks off often turning over the ball in the final third doing with a big smile on his face
– Has the capability of producing the spectacular when it comes to finishing he can do it all, mazing runs, strikes from distances, predatory finishes and composed chips
– Hugely versatile, Tyler usually plays in the RM/RW slot for Oxford this season but is also more than capable in LM/LW. Furthermore, played as an AM and even occasionally as a CM with the academy
– Overall a very exciting player to watch with his ball-playing ability and flair
Tyler (20) has been someone I’ve been tracking on my pages Irish Football Blog and Republic of Ireland Player Tracker for months now. I was aware of his Irish eligibility and intentions during that period, but it only came to light in the mainstream media these last 36 hours or so, but I am absolutely delighted to see him named in the U21 squad today!
The Oxford United website describes Tyler as a “Technically gifted and intelligent forward player”. Tyler joined the club from Reading as a U14 and his first-team credentials were clear to everyone very early following some noteworthy performances with the U18s alongside his schoolboy club, he became their youngest-ever professional at 16 years and 98 days on the 12th of November 2019 in a 4-1 victory Crawley Town,
In September 2021 he was loaned to Hayes & Yeading United who play in the Southern Football League Premier Division and was recalled on the 18th of November following a successful loan spell which included an FA Cup appearance and experience in a title fight. On the 16th of December, he joined National League South side Slough Town on a one-month loan deal. Followers of the league and teams have since stated that Tyler was a “class above” even then! He would have a dream League 1 debut coming on as a late substitute against Cambridge United on 6 August 2022 scoring the winner in injury-time.
Tyler’s first full season came last season, when he appeared 44 times for Oxford, scoring four goals and contributing two assists. But his performances and potential caught the attention of everyone very early including reportedly Championship clubs. However, Oxford moved quickly during the season tying him down to a New Deal last October keeping him at the club until at least 2024, with an option for a further year.
Following the signing of this deal he told the club:
“I’m more than happy to be offered a new contract and really looking forward to it. I have loved being part of the squad this season and it’s all about gaining experience and learning as you go along. I had two loans last season which helped me a lot, then pre-season went well and when I got my chance in the First Team I was so determined to make the most of it.“I’m still learning all the time, but I try to play with a smile and the Gaffer is excellent; he wants us to play attacking football and that really suits my game.”
The manager at the time Karl Robinson had this to say about Tyler:
“Tyler is an outstanding young man. The fans have taken to him because of his energy and enthusiasm, but technically he is also very good, and we think he has a very bright future.”
This season following the arrival of Liam Manning as Head Coach, Manning has spoken about Tyler coming back into pre-season in good shape. It shows now, he has started the season on fire with three goals and one assist in his opening five matches keeping former Premier League Footballer Josh Murphy (28) out of the squad!
Tyler may have to bide his time for a transfer but there is no rush with him, At (20) he is playing regularly in a side that is currently leading League One five games into the season. He may not have to move at all to play higher but if he continues with his performances, higher-up Championship clubs and even Premier League clubs will be interested.
For now, he will have to settle for the joy of getting his first Ireland U21 call-up!
Video:
League Summary (as of 30th August 2023):
21/22: Hayes & Yeading FC 1 Game, Slough Town 17 Games, 3 Goals, 1474 Minutes
22/23: Oxford United 44 Games, 4 Goals, 2 Assists, 1498 Minutes
23/24: Oxford United 6 Games, 3 Goals, 1 Assist, 319 Minutes
Description:
Tyler Goodrham is a hugely talented dual-nationality player, who qualifies to play for Ireland through his Irish grandparents. Having spent time with Reading, he signed for Oxford at U14 level and would go on to become their youngest-ever professional at 16 years and 98 days on the 12th of November 2019 in a 4-1 victory over Crawley Town. After gaining experience in the lower divisions he would eventually his breakthrough for the club in dramatic fashion making his League 1 debut a winning one coming on as as a late substitute against Cambridge United on 6 August 2022 scoring the winner in injury-time. His performances for the club have seen him linked with moves higher up the division and today he gets called up to Ireland for the first time!
Quotes:
When asked about his Irish links he said the following to the Oxford Mail:
“Earlier on in the year, I got my Irish citizenship. There have been no conversations as of yet, but we’ll see… If I just keep playing and keep getting my head down, fingers crossed that comes about.”
On what turning out for Ireland would mean to his Irish grandmother:
“I think she’ll be buzzing if and when it hopefully comes.
Everyone will be buzzing. When I was younger, they’d always buy me Ireland shirts. It’ll be a nice feeling hopefully, if it comes.”