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!
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.
By acquiring the services of newly ex-Barca goalkeeper, Manchester United not only managed to deny any opponents points by getting him on the team sheet themselves, but more importantly potentially provided Van Gaal with the cure to his current problem. Should he be brave enough to risk it, Van Gaal has at his disposal a veteran goalkeeper who just happens to be one of the best distributors of the ball in the game from in between the posts. To anyone outside the club, this looks to be a Harry Redknapp style bargain transfer deal. And yet, he hasn't yet featured in a game yet, even that of a less important cup fixture.
Everyone knows that Van Gaal prefers the Ajax system of which the newly appointed predecessor to Moyes and Ferguson is looking to implement in North West England (after all, he was a central fit to establishing it in the first place!), and Valdes as a goalkeeper can easily become the missing link in a system that revolves around ball retention and link play to create a constant press high up the pitch whilst keeping possession. Therefore a goalkeeper in this system has to be good at their feet. The very thing Valdes is famed for. Yes, that's right; the proverbial modern 'sweeper keeper' that is becoming more and more popular with the likes of Neuer pushing it to its limits and Ter Stegen (another not-so-typical German goalie, both seemingly fighting for the no1 shirt soon enough) shifting the ball from both feet.
It is pretty obvious then that Van Gaal chooses his goalkeepers to fit the system off ball retention and pushing high up the pitch, with the skillset to match; hence why Krul was saved for penalties and why Cillissen got the starts, due to his abilities in playing the ball and in 1-on-1 situations (which arise from a high line and gaps opening up for attackers to slip through). Ironically Vorm can do both; known for his penalty killing abilities alongside his inarguable sweeping technique, but it seemed coaching staff were more worried about injury concerns and not being involved in the qualifying stages for the team to be used to him.
Anyway, for a manager that is happy to take the risk of switching goalkeepers going into extra time in a World Cup semi-final of all things, gambling on the penalty saving skills of that choice, with the chips down on a shootout, for it to pay off, I can't see what the problem is. Whilst De Gea has been amazing (those saves stemming from his deep positioning and athletic style), he is a totally different style of goalkeeper than Valdes, and without Victor, Van Gaal's system won't work as well as it can.
With Valdes signing for Man United in the January transfer window, after rehabbing his season and career ending injury (at least in terms of encouraging his move away!) at Barcelona, in a move similar to that of Craig Gordon making a comeback at Celtic, it is worth looking back at other teams that could or should have made a move for him, and why.
Liverpool
Other than struggling with crosses and save making compared to his breakout season with the club where it looked like he could take them to a title finish (), Mignolet isn't too confident playingan outlet pass from the back and doesn't look too comfortable playing behind a high line. Unfortunately for him, this is something that works well for the team under Brendan Rogers and is likely to be difficult in the long run. Ironically this is the same role that Reina provided (now content to simply warm the bunch for that well known Ballon D'Or contendor at Munich) and played so well in when he was at the Kop. However, instead of simply bringing him back into the fold, Liverpudlian management have made a major boob losing his services. Not only is he a suitable shot stopper, Valdes would be a perfect fit for a team that needs their goalkeeper to have the feet of a midfielder.
Arsenal
Given that Wenger finally gave Ospina his first Premier League start after a long wait without much playing time to adjust to the British game on loan or for the U21's, it seems the veteran French manager may finally take a gamble on his goalkeeping options. With dissent supposed to be brewing in the dressing room and a calmer head needed for their goalkeeper of choice, Valdes could capably bring more to the table than others. With Martinez getting bench time after a strong oan time at Sheffield Wednesday,it's safe to say they could cash in on their Polish star and reuse funds to invest in a new strikeforce perhaps. After all, the Gunners are another team that love to push forward, with a fair amount of fans screaming at the missed chance to bring in Lloris against their rivals, who are currently loving his sweeper keeping successes (with Vorm also brought in to fill that role in Europe and cup games).
Leicester or Southampton
Victor has made it pretty clear that he wants to try out pastures nwe and see more of the world after a long and famous career as franchise goalkeeper at Barcelona. With Ter Stegen proving easily how much of a dab hand (or foot should I say!) moving the ball accurately from both feet - you wouldn't believe how rare this is for a top class 'keeper, thus making him much of a keeper for the Catalans down the road! Monaco are doing fine with their bargain, underrated Slovak, Sirigu has solidified his spot, so unless he fancies a trip State side, the UK would be a good start.
A very outfield theory, but the newly promoted side are in dire need of goalkeepers with Schmeichel injured.
Personally, I think he would make a great starter at Southampton. Pochettini set up the groundworks for a high line needing a sweeper keeper, and Valdes can offer this in spades. Doing well and likely to want to try their hand at European competition, Valdes' veteran experiences in the Champions League would be so useful. That and he could provide suitable tutelage to Gazzaniga he has proven his own sweeper abilities and could have the mentorship of Victor to iron out the technique, sometimes getting caught on the backfoot by his communication skills with his defenders, instead of pushing up to clear.
For now, that's all I can really think of, as there aren't too many top tier teams looking for a goalkeeper, and Real Madrid might not want to take on a previous player of their arch rivals!
With pre-season well under way for teams across the globe, Marc Andre ter Stegen has had a great opportunity to show off his talents and stake his claim for first team football. As yet, I don't have a clear idea who the Spanish side's decided choice is, but ter Stegen is not one to sit on the bench. Having played non-stop for Borrussia Mochengladbach, and starting every single league game for them after fighting his way onto the team sheet, I can't see why he would have gone to all this effort just to warm the bench. A clear competitor (in the mould of notable German goalies throughout history), I still have no idea why Bravo joined, given his vastly differing style of goalkeeping.
ter Stegen is clearly happy to play as a sweeper, as shown by his performances in the Bundesliga and internationally, and this is the exact style of goalkeeper Barcelona want. As a like for like replacement for departing Valdes, he can easily play the ball with either foot, but even more so, is happy to pass like a midfielder from his box. Buzzing with confidence and a high energy/confident goalkeeper, has a higher starting position than Valdes, he should also be able to come out strongly on one man rushes and to intercept far outside his area.
Adding extra dimensions with his accuracy in passing and his ability to pass the ball to either wing with ease because of his comfortable ability to play the ball with left or right, he could go on to have an even greater career than the goalkeeper he has been brought in to replace. A penalty shot killer (see him versus Messi as an example) and strong on 1-on-1's as well as a keen battler, he has a lot to give, and could be challenging the world's top five in the not so distant future.
As you can see in this clip, in a warm-up friendly, you can see how quickly he has adapted to the style and role Barca want him to play in. Pinging the ball out to the wings for attacks to start, he is also clearly happy to maintain possession by playing the goal kick short and then rotating ball possession (like you would see in Dutch 'total football' or at Ajax and under Van Jaal). His defenders are clearly confident in his kicking skills and happy to pass back to him knowing he will get the ball out safely, as you can see numerous times with the defender turning around straightaway to give the ball back to him.
It's also easy to spot how ambidextrous he is, able to pass the ball out with distance, height and accuracy. This helps mark him out and increase his worth as this style of goalkeeper.
I don't think it will be long until he starts challenging Neuer for the sweeper and German crowns, and he clearly has bags of potential going forward this season and into the future. The future of the modern goalkeeper looks bright and I'll eagerly be waiting to see how it all turns out!
Another noteworthy revelation from Rio was the record breaking number of saves by Tim Howard in the game against Belgium; one of the best to watch in the whole world cup. Able to do everything but score to get his team the win, Tim made a big impression for his home nation, enough to perhaps even grow the audience of soccer in the States!
His performance pretty much epitomised what being a good goalkeeper is: being there for your team mates, putting everything on the line for them, not worrying about conceding but focusing more on the task at hand, and playing with a gutsy and emotional approach.
Tim's story is also given greater depth by his personal struggle with Tourettes and his grandmother's inspiration for him playing in goal in the first place; the self belief and sticking to his dreams that turned him into the goalkeeper and person he is today. For that to happen, he has taught himself to deal with the condition and the self discipline and concentration levels that are needed to play at the highest tiers of football in the specialist position of goalkeeper.
And with this in mind, I would go as far as a so-called 'disability' has actually enabled him to play at the level his capable of, as it pushes him to concentrate and focus on the game more than say perhaps someone with 'normal' neurology. Not that I have a wealth of understanding of the specifics, but from a performance analysing perspective seems to definitely be the case.
Whilst we saw Brazil bow out in a way that the people of that fine footballing country wouldn't have been happy about, we did get to see a new breed of goalkeeper dominating the World Cup. Germany pretty much steamrolled there way to the finals and the cup, but in part had a lot to thank there goalkeeper for. A mix of fine committed defending combined with a goalkeeper more than happy to meet the ball and make mind-blowing interceptions outside of his box, worked together to create one of the best defensive units in the world.
As football observers, we have seen and grown used to, a style of German football that is more tactical, disciplined and robust than anything else. Big, physical and technical to the bone, rather than creative and skillful; the kind of style of football that Brazil historically hates to go up against, which showed in their undoing as the Germans went on to demolish them on home turf. Something unbelievable and yet real. The style of German football (much like their hockey too) wins games and is great for the tactician, but for 'total football' fans, it's hard to watch without that spark of inspiration a player like Neymar can produce.
But here is a goalkeeper doing something not exactly associated with this style. Within this mould, the goalkeeper would be expected to sit deep in the area and let the play come to them, rather than forcing it and coming undone by rushing the attack and over thinking and acting irrationally. Strangely enough, this is what Robert Enke (Neuer's predecessor) believed in; with his knee down block save to protect against the much hated shot between the legs on the breakaway. And yet, here is a goalkeeper being ridiculously radical and taking the position of goalkeeper so far it looks like he's playing in the original format when the game started; an outfield player with gloves on!
Pushed out of his comfort zone by Guardola at Bayern Munich, a few tweaks and refinements here and there have turned this typically statured German machine into a sweeper keeper that is pushing the limits on what is expected of goalkeepers and in turn, what they are truly capable of.
A lot of this has to do with Neuer's confidence, which looks sky high. Self assured and more than happy to play this way, he dominates mentally as well as in his play. I for one (seem to have a habit of being wrong!) never thought Neuer would grow to be this confident or solid as a sweeper-come-goalkeeper. In his first World Cup outing he looked pretty shaky, especially at corners, but over time, he has started to show he amazing he really is.
He was especially sweeper like in the game against Algeria. And more so, was showing a streak of attacking play not even seen in any other goalkeeper on the planet right now (yes, it's true!). Playing high up in his box, he got his defenders to channel the attacker, before timing his run perfectly to reach the ball outside the area! And this involved a bit of sliding in (like Vorm), headering away (Casillas/Lloris) and some neat trickery. But his regular use of this radical style of goalkeeping; attacking the pass rather than trying to go for the save (like those in the Ochoa camp of support and thinking), totally pushing boundaries on what to expect of goalkeepers.
What does this mean for the future of goalkeeping?
Just to try and round this all up without writing pages and reems of analysis, it seems worth summing up what Neuer brings to the table and what can be learned:
Self confidence is crucial for the goalkeeper to perform at their best
Attacks can actively be shut down by the goalkeeper outside (!) the area; this is something only Neuer really does and stands out incredibly
A high positioning in the box is needed in order to do this
Can this shape the next generation of goalkeepers? Yes, definitely, however I don't see all goalkeepers following this model. Not all teams play in a shape like this or need their goalkeeper to, so would be unnecessary, plus the goalkeeper needs to be comfortable with their feet and able to read the game to the highest levels. And Neuer is a unique individual. Just as Lloris is one of (if not THE) fastest goalkeeper I have ever witnessed coming off his line to intercept, so is Neuer in his positional play.
As long as Neuer keeps playing like he does, so goalkeepers can rejoice in dismantling those bad jokes about us not being able to play anywhere else on the pitch, and also to redefine how we play!!
