Part time football goalie enjoying the delights of non-league football. As a sports writer blogging about my experiences, exploits and offering some thoughts and analysis of the pro's!
Whilst there are plenty of goalkeepers that have had media notable seasons, one that has quietly gone about his business largely unnoticed is that of Sheffield Wednesday's Keiren Westwood. The Irish international was seen as a liability for Premier League standard play, and was replaced by Mannone and City's Pantilimon was brought in, but like Craig Gordon, has been on fire and showing what his former employers are missing.
When Sunderland let Westwood go in the summer, they thought they were freeing themselves off a deadweight (injured goalkeepers automatically drop low in stock despite how well they have been played - hint - try not to get injured!) and another wage packet. And instead of letting that get to him and ruin his confidence and self belief, he turned things around massively.
He looks like the real deal because of his hybridised approach (able to deal with anything and select the right save for each shot etc.) and a great acquisition should any of the Premier League's teams go looking for a new 'keeper in the off-season. Voted onto the PFA Championship team of the season and picking up various awards, he is a definite upgrade for his team and any other looking to take on his services.
A lot of Westwood's success has been down to his save selection and attacking depth (changed to deal with shots near the goal line, as seen in the highlights), so it is worth noting analysis of his save technique. Unafraid to be unorthodox, he has had a lot of success with properly used leg saves to block lower and cover with quick reactions low when he cannot dive out to reach low.
So, he are some worthy save pointers:
Westwood has made a lot of leg saves this season (more than De Gea ;) and in all of the English leagues) - a style popular in Europe (something Cech might do but rarely) BUT ALSO has brilliant rebound control to push the ball away ON the save to get it away to safety
Great rebound control - sees shot early, and controls ball to safe area free of players (and their rebound attempts)
Happy to 'get big' and block with his body on point blank range shots
Reading the game really well - well aware of danger before it happens and very quick off his line to deal with or get in position to do so
Big selection of saves 'in the toolbox' to help him deal with any and every possible save situation
Brave and courageous - important in 1 on 1's and more importantly to play so well when you are worried about having another dangerous injury (i.e. career ending)
Incredibly confident - has an air of certainty and supremacy that carries around the team i.e. not worried about losing the game because of their goalie or having to defend and run extra (shown in body languge, dominating his area etc.)
So this weekend's games saw something pretty unexpected. De Gea goes down with injury and former Barcelona no. 1 Valdes finally stepped off the bench (which he'd been keeping warm for a while!) and got some game time for his new team (which, if you remember, he joined on a free and could have earnt more with offers from Monaco etc. but chose to follow desire and ambition instead).
Valdes will start his first full game for United at the weekend in the final game of the season. It will therefore be interesting to see how he deals with the pressure of top league placing to bring home the points.
After a much more consistent and reliable season for his Red Devil team mates, this did come out of the blue. Valdes suffered the same as David last season; going down with a major injury at the end of the season. Now, De Gea also picked up an injury which forced him to miss Spanish international action (which I think personally really affected him, as he could have had a great chance to beat out Casillas for game selection), but this seems more serious.
Added to that, Van Gaal dropped the clanger that he himself . Normally a man of few words who skirts around issues and topics in group interviews, it adds to the belief that De Gea is off to Spain in the summer transfer window. Now, I normally wouldn't agree with following 'paper talk' as it is normally for papers to fill up page space, agents to manufacture new deals for players, or just pure gossip and 'wish listing', but there are a lot of signs that point to this happening.
As I've said previously, De Gea doesn't fit Van Gaal's desired model system of sweeper keeper within a 'total football' style. And I think this is the differnce maker. Rather than stamp his mark he is doing it quietly, and it will be interesting to see how things pan out. A lot like the equivalent of Mourinho dropping a sweeper for a keeper to play behind a defensive line of 4-4-2, or ironically Rodgers dropping Mignolet to bring in a sweeper for fast counter attacks (amusingly Reina already fulfilled this role!). And with Valdes doing the job and more on less pay, Van Gaal can focus his finances on seriously rebuilding his squad to fit what he wants.
So with the Internet and the real world abound with theories and chatter about De Gea's future transfer prospects and beyond, I thought I would put my thoughts down in one go, combining the Casillas questions and a little on analysis of why I think De Gea is fitting van Gaal's system, to save on time (you reading, me writing) and focus!
Frosty relations
When asked what he thinks of De Gea's season and match winning saves, van Gaal has responded with "he's doing his job", "that's what a goalkeeper should be doing". With no real hint of encouragement or praise lining his feedback, there does seem to be an underlying tone to De Gea's coach's statements.
Now I'm not one who would easily jump on the De Gea bandwagon (I still think he has some major flaws that show at this level, and think he's a little one stop shop at times like Tim Henman's one style near net approach; i.e. not enough tools in the toolbox), but it's undeniable that he has been majestic at times. And even the coach should be acknowledging it.
I therefore think that this hints at De Gea getting frustrated with things and that's not good for any player in that situation. I have always seen as De Gea moving back to Spain, a lot like Ronaldo moving on to Madrid.
De Gea is not a sweeper
Shown in their FA cup loss to Arsenal, De Gea just can't read the game well enough with the mindset of a true sweeper to be able to . Whether he needs to work on reading the game, or is uncomfortable playing in this role, is uncertain, but ultimately he is not up to playing in this style; the style that van Gaal wants to build around!
If this had been another goalkeeper at another club, he would have been ripped a new one in the media and the press. I'm sorry, but if he wasn't at United, he would have been wiped the floor with in press comments the day after. Had that been Rob Green or Joe Hart (like the Sweden game against Ibrahimovic, you know!). And yes, you can find comparisons and commentary to back this up - I'm not just talking hot air!
We are talking a coach who specifically picks goalkeepers to perform specific tasks. It wasn't a wonder strike that Krul got switched at extra time to win on penalties - Cillessen has a track record for not stopping penalties, check his stats! But Krul, like De Gea is not a sweeper.
I really had expected van Gaal to stamp his mark on the club rather than tiptoe around Ferguson's reign, but perhaps he felt Valdes wouldn't have been ready after such a long time out of training and game practice to be useful.
The long and short of it, is that Valdes is a better sweeper keeper, and van Gaal wants a sweeper to allow ball retention and recycling the ball in the team's own half to open up passing lanes to hit the opposition on the counter. Without a sweeper keeper, the team cannot operate to its best. Thus, requiring a sweeper; the same style that Valdes is renowned and known for!
Compare the following clip with that of the De Gea goal. Valdes knows his positioning in the box (where he is in front of goal, how far out to challenge etc.) and he is more vocal - coaching his defenders with authority about where he wants them, and looking for that outlet pass. De Gea is a pretty shy goalie, not likely to bark out orders, and you can see the difference in Valdes jelling with the defence organically to move with the back line rather than staying static at the back behind a four man unit.
De Gea's shot stopping style
These days, analysis or commenting on performance of goalkeepers seems to lean more towards 'bigging up' people without pointing out room for improvement, or well thought analysis. However, I don't this is appropriate or useful. Rather than highlighting the strengths and style of the individual goalkeeper (no single one is the same), and applauding these, any criticism (no matter how well put and constructive) is seen as weakness or failure. But this doesn't work!
De Gea stays deep to give him longer to react to shots, meaning he is going to have to make extension saves as players look for space in the corners (as they see more of goal). He combines super reflexes with amazing natural agility to pull off those miracle saves bouncing around the 'tube.
That's him and his style down to a tee, in a nutshell. With other systems and other defenders or defensive appproaches, this is out of place. Just as him sweeping up is out of position for him.
If United bring in Begovic as a replacement for him (as has been talked about time and time again, with Butland eager to take over), then they have another strong, save orientated goalkeeper, who is comfortable to sit behind a strong backline, the atypical 4-4-2 of English football, and make glorious saves based on angles and channeling shots via defensive strategy. Again, NOT a sweeper keeper, or that of what van Gaal wants.
van Gaal, if allowed to, will implement a system from top to bottom, like Mourinho, and his views on goalkeepers and where they are in the team and how they work with, and aid, the team, will come to the fore.
For note - go and check out Vermeer's implosion, Ajax, dutch football, and the origins of sweepers and attacking systems (i.e. van Gaal started it as coached systems - hint, hint!).
The Valdes question
Valdes was a steal move for United, kind of like Harry Redknapp working his magic on the transfer window at the time. Sure, he suffered a major season ending injury, but it's not the end of the world. Craig Gordon and Keiren Westwood have both had amazingly strong seasons after coming back from major career affecting injuries, and proven those who turned their backs, dead wrong. Valdes came in on a free. De Gea would go out with profit. 0 + profit = money = money to spend elsewhere on the squad! Attracting top level players who would have to postpone CLeague football costs money!
Casillas & Madrid's revenue
Casillas is looking like a man who doesn't want to play in goal anymore. It's as if you're seeing someone who has spent their entire life in a profession or art etc. and they deciding it's not for them. He plays like a Sunday league goalie who doesn't want to be there at times. And it shows.
Sure, a little hyperbolic, but I really think he needs to go on a sabbatical. He's burnt out. Simple as. You don't play for that long (Spain's no1 at 19), all those competitions and all the training that goes without, and still have the energy. You don't. He needs to recharge his batteries and refind his form.
Why on earth spend all that money on a goalkeeper who outperforms your starter in training, outperformed him at the world cup and worked his ass off to get a look in at the club, only to WARM THE BENCH! Yes, Ancelotti, I'm looking at you!! Keylor Navas is too good to be sitting on a bench at a top club.
Casillas looks like a goalkeeper who has lost the fight and drive to play at this standard (as mentioned). You don't always have it your way; the best athletes (and goalies) are not ones who have it easy and are uber popular, but the ones that work and fight hard to follow the dream, and fight for their team. Casillas doesn't battle, he just looks like he wants to be subbed off the pitch and go home.
Add in the fact that De Gea is now pretty much a superstar, and a household name, he can bring a fair amount of cash with him. Bringing in star players like Bale to Madrid, or Neymar to Barca, results in ridiculous sales for Barca and Madrid, which they use (along with TV rights) to play their players. It's basically an opportunity to print money. Both clubs are the best in Spain, and the Spanish league and international set-up probably suffers as a result.
Add in the fact that De Gea is heir apparent for Spain, Spain need a better class goalie to aim to win another World Cup, and that any other options - like Reina (who wait all season for a game and then get sent off!!), are not up to scratch, and you can see a pattern emerging. De Gea to Madrid doesn't require a degree in rocket science to put together.
He's a better fit
I'll say it once, and I'll say it again. Even if he doesn't go yet, I still think De Gea is better for Madrid. His girlfriend isn't happy with him being in England (compare that to Lloris moving his family to London), he was a little homesick in his first season and more. He will get Champions League football at Madrid, he will be able to play in a more defensive system (rather than playing as sweeper out of position so to speak), and can woo international coaches up close and personal.
He's young, has proved he has elite traits, and has a very reflex based style that fits with a static, rather than mobile, defensive line. Coming out to collect crosses is not an issue outside England because it's not the reality of the game in Spain. He won't have to play in a different style he is used to, no longer having to play as a sweeper, he will bring in buckets of money to Madrid, and he will be given a platform to take over the Spanish no. 1 shirt.
I'm sure United fans will be sorry to see him go, but for De Gea, personally and for his career, I can see it happening pretty soon.
