Warren Ashurst: Goalkeepers need to park the fancy footwork and go back to basics

A goalkeeper’s role has evolved immeasurably over the last decade, but the standard of shot-stopping – the bread and butter of a goalie’s job – is as low as I can remember.

Never has a custodian been so important. Premier League keepers can now have more touches than a midfield playmaker, and their ability on the ball is scrutinised as heavily as their shot-stopping credentials.

That can’t be right. Not only does it seem to be impacting on the entertainment value, but it’s also having a negative impact on the standard of goalkeeping in general.

Top-flight keepers are averaging around 37 to 44 touches per game, with some data groups recording an average of 47.26 actions, which includes things like goal kicks and long passes.

England’s number one Jordan Pickford, for example, has had an average of 50.40 touches this season for Everton, a team currently inside the top half.

The focus has become more and more on goalkeepers being good with their feet, an obsession which seemed to start when Pep Guardiola controversially decided to move on Joe Hart from Manchester City.

City eventually found a keeper in Ederson whose fancy footwork was as good as an outfield player, but those custodians are few and far between, something Guardiola has since realised.

Few people would argue with the fact that Alisson is currently the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but much of that is down to what the Liverpool number one does with his hands rather than his feet.

Since Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp, the Brazilian has been taking fewer risks with the ball at his feet, which could be significant as Liverpool challenge for successive titles.

The Premier League season is only five games old but we have already seen a lot of ‘top’ keepers make big errors.

After a big-money summer return to the Etihad, James Trafford played a risky pass which ultimately cost City in a home defeat to Tottenham and Trafford his place in City’s starting 11.

Guardiola decided to bring in Gianluigi Donnarumma, widely lauded as one of the best goalies in the world. 

There is no doubting the Italian’s shot-stopping qualities, but there were already question marks over his distribution before he pitched up at City and his positioning was called into question last weekend when Gabriel Martinelli lobbed him for Arsenal’s late equaliser.

Gianluigi Donnarumma and Senne Lammens are among the new goalkeepers in the Premier League

The problems trying to find a top-class goalkeeper are best highlighted by developments at Manchester United, who have brought in four different shot-stoppers since David de Gea left in 2023.

Emi Martinez, arguably in the top three keepers in the Premier League, was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford but United instead plumped for unproven Belgian Senne Lammens.

Lammens has had very limited experience in the Belgian top flight, with just 52 appearances for Royal Antwerp, and now finds himself at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. 

We are constantly hearing that Chelsea need a new goalie, with Robert Sanchez once again pressing the self-destruct button with an early red card in last week's defeat at Old Trafford.

Despite shelling out an estimated £300 million this summer, their latest lavish transfer window splurge, the Blues’ only addition in goal was 20-year-old Belgian Mike Penders, who was immediately sent out on loan to Strasbourg.

It’s another indicator that there are so few options out there, even if you have a healthy transfer kitty at your disposal.

The trials and tribulations of a modern goalkeeper has been summed up by Sunderland’s Robin Roefs this month. 

The Dutchman shone in the Black Cats’ 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, earning rave reviews, then a week later made a hash of Matty Cash’s long-range effort as Sunderland drew 1-1 with Aston Villa.

West Ham decided it was time to bring Lukasz Fabianski’s seven-year stint in east London to an end, and brought in Mads Hermansen from Leicester as his replacement.

A performance littered with high-profile mistakes from the Dane in a heavy defeat to Chelsea put him under immediate pressure, and less than a month later Fabianski was back at the London Stadium.

Unsurprisingly, two of the best shot-stoppers around are at the top of the list for clean sheets this season, with Nick Pope (four) and Dean Henderson (three) leading the way.

Those stats make healthy reading for England boss Thomas Tuchel, but Premier League managers will continue to scratch their heads at how to get the best out of their goalies.

Roy Keane would have no hesitation in telling you the job of a goalkeeper is to keep the ball out of the net – but it seems some might need reminding.

Goalies, it’s your job!

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