Goalkeeping Age: A shift from the experienced stopper?

After watching the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal by Manchester United and analysing goalkeeping performance (as I always do!) I started to wonder about the growing trend of younger goalkeepers. With David de Gea and Wojciech Szczsny making the headlines recently a lot has been made of their age and lack of experience. Add that to impressive early displays by Tim Krul, Asmir Begovic and Wayne Hennessey, along with the increasingly mature nature of Joe Hart; it seems that the pupils are earning master status. With the notion of having an experienced head at the back being popular over recent years it seems there could be a culture shift. Below is a list of the current number 1s at their respective clubs and their ages. Club Arsenal Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Chelsea Everton Fulham Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United Newcastle United Norwich City Queens Park Rangers Stoke City Sunderland Swansea City Tottenham Hotspur West Bromwich Albion Wigan Athletic Wolverhampton Wanderers Name Wojciech Szczsny Shay Given Paul Robinson Jussi Jskelinen Petr Cech Tim Howard Mark Schwarzer Pepe Reina Joe Hart David de Gea Tim Krul John Ruddy Paddy Kenny Asmir Begovic Simon Mignolet Michel Vorm Brad Friedel Ben Foster Ali Al-Habsi Wayne Hennessey Average Age Age 21 35 31 36 29 32 38 28 24 20 23 24 33 24 23 27 40 28 29 24 28.5

Its not just any old teams however pinning their hopes on younger goalkeeper, 3 of the 4/5 genuine title aspirers have gone with youth. Over the past couple of seasons these goalkeepers have replaced established ones at the clubs. Looking at the table below you can see a clear shift in a number of top teams. Goalkeeper Replaced Difference in Age (when taken over as first choice) 20 12

David de Gea Wojciech Szczsny

Edwin van der Sar Manuel Almunia

Joe Hart Asmir Begovic Tim Krul

Shay Given Thomas Sorensen Steve Harper

11 11 13

Its quite clear to see theres a definite change in ethos in which clubs operate. Although looking at the first list there is still as a place for the experienced professional and those hitting their so called peak years. Below is another table highlighting this. Age Range 18-24 25-32 33+ Number 8 7 5

What could be the reasons for the change? In my experience playing, coaching and researching goalkeeping over the years the role has become so much more complex than just the typical shot stopping expert. With the need to fit in to different styles of play maybe clubs feel they can mould young talented goalkeepers into their systems over time. Assumption would be that its easier to shape young goalkeepers rather than older ones who are set in their ways and are less adaptable. Also maybe clubs are more inclined to spent money on goalkeepers who can play for 10-12 years with a club so they can see a noticeable return on their investment. Some attributes which Ive see that are common in these goalkeepers are along the lines of: Confident Agile Can distribute the ball very effectively Fearless Eccentric Athletic

Possibly what you might categorize as the foreign style of goalkeeping not the traditional English perceived way as great shot stoppers and can kick a long ball. On the continent weve seen over past years goalkeeper thrown in at the deep end so to speak namely Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, Manuel Neuer and Gigi Buffon. Like all young footballers there will be ups and downs with de Gea and Szczsny showing moments of brilliance but later in the same match showing naivety. With them seemingly, amongst others, having to play their formative goalkeeping years at the highest level will this in the long run be proof that to gain experience you need to be put under pressure situations? Fight or flight springs to mind. Whatever each goalkeepers circumstance it pleases me that clubs are showing faith in our young stoppers in order for them to grow and evolve. The examples of Casillas, Buffon, Valdes and Neuer are proof that this approach did them no harm with them all being at the top of their profession. Maybe the next generation will be just as good, with the only difference that most are being tested in our very own Premier League. It seems if youre good enough youre old enough. It would be interesting to hear other goalkeeping fans views on this and if they share/differ from the content.

Modern Day Goalkeeping: The Evolution of Victor Valdes

Around the turn of the year I was asked my opinion of Victor Valdes the Barcelona goalkeeper who has actually commanded the position for more seasons than I had previously thought. My answer was that he was quite error prone, wasnt the best at dealing with crosses and seemed to be a weak-line of the side, if you could call him a weak-link considering what the team has achieved. Nearly 6 months later I have had to, and am more than willing to, eat a huge helping of humble pie. The more Ive had the pleasure of seeing this great Barcelona side play the more Ive been able to dissect his role within the team dynamic. He is actually a primary play-maker within the team and is a key focal point that players such Puyol, Pique and Dani Alves look to in order to play through the back 4 and beyond. Like many devoted football fans I watched the Champions League Final with interest hoping for a great game of football. Valdess performance I believe was a stand out because of his no fear attitude distributing to players under pressure, his short to medium range passing was that of a cultured playmaker (a Xavi or a Busquests, considering he plays day in day out with these greats he cant help but pick up traits) and crucially not forgetting his traditional elements of goalkeeping such has decision making and 1 v 1s were excellent. Throughout my coaching and analysis I have always advocated that the goalkeepers role will eventually evolve into one that will see their abilities with the ball as an attacker come to the fore and be a key building block in the way in which a team will play their football. If Barcelona had another type of goalkeeper would this effect the way they play? Personally I think the likes of Messi etc would still be destroying teams around Europe but without that initial ignition of tempo and dictation from the back I really dont think the team would flow as much as they do now. With the ability not to have to smash the ball up field in every instance surely this is the way the goalkeeper must be taught to play? Every goalkeeper has the ability to play the ball long when necessary but having the tools to act as a primary play-maker will take a new ethos into goalkeeping around the World and possibly change the way in what core attributes are looked for in a goalkeeper. I would love to see the distribution statistics for him and I have no doubt they would be fascinating and hopefully prove some of my points. Maybe Barca would like to use my Distribution System for this!!! Would Valdes be as effective in the Premiership where the demands placed on a goalkeeper are different or in another side with different tactics, probably not, but hes perfect for Barcelona and has been instrumental in their success. He must be the most under rated goalkeeper in Europe and I think his lack of International caps and honours count against him; but how many other goalkeepers have won 3 Champions League Medals with the prospect of more to come, off the top of my head I cant think of many. Mr Van der Sar does spring to mind though. So heres to Victor Vales the unassuming key ingredient in the success of possibly the greatest side to every play the beautiful game and the way hes changed goalkeeping forever. Hopefully the rest of the World can keep up.

The Football League's 5 Substitute Ruling; Harming Goalkeeper Development?

After the new ruling this season that a team can only name 5 substitutes rather than 7 previously, I've noticed a number of teams aren't naming a back-up goalkeeper on the bench. This got me thinking as to how the rule might be affecting the progress of young goalkeepers coming through the ranks. In the past having a goalkeeper on the bench gives the manager a safety blanket encase the number 1 gets an injury or sent off. This goalkeeper would usually be an older stalwart or a youngster. For a young keeper on the bench it gives them a perfect insight into what actually occurs on a match day; from the pre-match routines and banter, to the warm-up then watching the game from the dugout picking up little tips etc. In most cases without actually getting on the pitch but the whole experience can only benefit them. Instead now managers are taking the route of an extra defender or attacking option when playing at home. The experience of being in and around the team and the buzz around a match day will then be nothing new to team, rather than being thrust into the side for one reason or another and being totally alien to the situation. Causing nerves amongst other things to be clouding their mind rather than being in a positive, confident mind-set. Just a thought on the issue. We might now see manager's asking the goalkeeping coach to take a designated outfield player for the occasional session to practice the skills required just encase the number 1 has to be replaced, and there not being a back-up keeper on the bench.