Hey Premier League clubs, here's some keepers that are ready, willing and able!
25 October 2012. 9:41 by Andy Che

There's a handful of Premier League clubs at the moment, who are needing the services of a definite number-one goalkeeper.  Whether it's a club that cannot find a starter between two more than adequate goalkeepers, or a promoted club that just needs improvement in that one department, there's a handful of goalkeepers in Europe that just might be ready to tackle the likes of the English game.  Here are some of the finest foreigners:

Rui Patricio of Portugal's Sporting Lisbon
The number-one for the Portuguese national side, Patricio has been a home-grown talent.  The 24-year old has played in Portugal all of his career, winning six trophies.  He experienced Europe as well during his 200 performances for Sporting, reaching the Europa League semifinals last season.  At the tender age of 20, Patricio took the reigns of the Sporting's number-one spot.  Now, it may be time for him to take the reigns of a bigger club.

Igor Akinfeev of Russia's CSKA Moscow
Here's a goalkeeper whose had quite a lot of ties with Premier League in the past.  Wanted by Manchester United at one point to replace Edwin Van Der Sar, and by Arsenal before this rise of Wojciech Szczesny.  His CSKA side almost defeated Manchester United in the 2009-10 Champions League, leading 3-1 at Old Trafford before the match ended 3-all.  At 26, the CSKA captain might be looking for a move away from home, after quite an accomplish career in the Russian Premier League. 





Steve Mandanda of France's Marseille
The captain of Marseille is known for the 
common blunder once in a while, but he was one considered an option for both Manchester clubs.  Among the French substitutes behind Spurs' Hugo Lloris, maybe a move to the likes of Liverpool or Fulham to compete against his superior on the Les Blues, can bring the 27-year old up in pecking order for country.   







Rene Adler of Germany's HSV Hamburg
Think what might have been if Rene Adler did not miss the 2010 World Cup due to injury. The expected German no. 1 for the tournament suffered an rib injury that would eventually open up the gates for Manuel Neuer.  Since Germany's third-place finish, Neuer has been the undisputed German number-one while Adler continues to reconstruct his career.  A fresh start in England might be what the 27-year old needs.  Like Akinfeev, he was once a considering to replace Edwin Van Der Sar at Old Trafford.

Frasier Forster of Scotland's Celtic
This 6'7'' Englishman never had his chance as a product of Newcastle, and found himself jumping around divisions below the Premier League before finding a home in Celtic.  In 2010, Forster played in Scotland on loan from Newcastle.  The 24-year old won the Scottish league title and league cup in his first season as a Hoop. Just last summer, Celtic secured their number-one for the future in making the loan deal permanent, although a return from the Premier League may be in the cards.





Kenneth Vermeer of Netherlands' Ajax
There hasn't been quite that many Dutch goalkeepers around the Premier League... although a selected group of three are making a quite a good reputation.  Of course there's Edwin Van Der Sar, a four-time winner of the title, Tim Krul of Newcastle and Michel Vorm of Swansea; all among the EPL's elite.  Now it may be time for a club to add Ajax's Kenneth Vermeer.  At 26, he's yet to reach 100 appearances for Ajax. Yet, his experience playing understudy to Maarten Stekelenburg is beginning to pay off, as he now begins only his third ever season as an Ajax number one.  Vermeer doesn't come with a lot of height, just 5'11'', but he's been a quality shot-stopper for club, but not yet country.  Possibly a move to a bigger club may improve his international reputation.

Changing of the Guard
24 October 2012. 20:04 by Andy Che

Without a doubt, Petr Cech of Chelsea is easily one of the best goalkeepers in the Barclay's Premier League.  Bought from French club Rennes in 2004, the 6'5'' Czech has backstopped Chelsea to three Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and four FA Cups.  Despite his domination in the Blues' goal over the past decade, there is a young talent threatening his number-one status.

In the summer of 2011, Chelsea identified a long term successor to Cech, 30, in wonderkid Thibaut Courtois, fresh off a season which he led Belgian club KRC Genk to the 2010-11 league title.  The London club cashed out 9 million pounds to bring Courtois to Stamford Bridge.  The Belgian shot-stopper signed with Atletico Madrid on loan for the 2011-12 season, playing a vital part in their Europa League triumph.  

For the 2012-13 season, Courtois expressed his interests on staying with Los Indios, and was granted with an extended loan deal.  He took part in the UEFA Super Cup, his first appearance of the new season, facing his parent club Chelsea.  Atletico crushed the Champions League winners, 4-1.  When the season comes to a close, it is almost certain Courtois will return to London to fight for his place in the Chelsea line-up.


Cech may have played hero in the 2012 Champions League Final, but it's the blunders (below) that have put his future into question

Despite Petr Cech's legendary goalkeeping status, Courtois is proving himself a worthy starter.  It's clear that Chelsea will not rush the young stopper, 10 years Cech's junior, contracted to Chelsea until 2016.  Yet, Cech is prone to fall inconsistent that different stages of the season.  For the past two seasons, Cech's performance took a dramatic turn around the new year.  Is this a sign that his career is on the decline?  

Courtois may have usurped Sunderland's Simon Mignolet for the No.1
 position for his native Belgium and just might do the same to Petr Cech very soon

As questions rise about Cech's long-term performance, Courtois is silencing any doubters with a brilliant display in his La Liga career.  Besides Europa League and UEFA Cup titles, and just beginning his second season in Spain, Atletico are making an early season push for top spot in the table. They currently sit second in La Liga.  It's evident that the towering 6'6'' 20-year old is successfully making use of his time on loan, eventually working his way up to the Chelsea number-one position.  It's unclear when the changing of Chelsea's guard will take place, yet, one thing is.  Chelsea have found the right man to call upon when that time comes.

Reina On The Line
24 October 2012. 7:51 by Andy Che

For all Liverpool fans and players alike, the last few seasons haven't been that great.  The managers with the likes of Kenny Dalglish and current England boss Roy Hodgson couldn't have prevented Liverpool from falling out of Europe and completely out of contention for the Barclay's Premier League title.  Even a 2012 Carling Cup triumph couldn't even keep Dalglish his job.

Has Pepe's tendency to drop the ball (no pun intented) occurred too often? 

Reina can't find a place to hide after this own goal in 2010

Michel Vorm and Rodgers might reunited at Anfield

Meanwhile in the goalkeeping department, Reds' vice-captain Pepe Reina has established himself the clear first-choice for the past eight seasons.  He's been the victor of the golden glove thrice, and notched almost 400 appearances in all competition for this historic club.  Yet, having arrived at Anfield in 2005, Reina hasn't been able to tame his blunder-prone self.  Anyone remember his cringing howler in the 2006-07 EPL fixture at Everton? Or maybe on the 2010-11 opening day against Arsenal where Marouane Chamakh's header slammed off the post and was carried in his own goal? Most recently, Reina spilled a shot in Europa League qualifying in Hearts, when he failed to get behind a shot driven toward his body.

It was rumoured that new Reds manager Brendan Rodgers was ready to sign goalkeeper Michel Vorm as Reina's replacement for the January transfer window.  Vorm previously worked with the manager when he was in charge at Swansea.  Although that seems unlikely, Liverpool may make a move for a young goalkeeper very soon, as their current squad consists of three goalkeepers (Reina, Brad Jones and Doni) approaching or over the age of 30, and an inexperienced 22-year old Peter Gulasci.

Rodgers may very well look for a complete makeover in his goalkeepers, and they're some young talents in Europe that could very well take over the Reina-generation in Anfield.

How about Marc-Andre Ter Stegen from Borussia Monchengladbach? Only 20 years old, but don't let his age fool you.  His career at the moment is looking like a carbon-copy of German no. 1 Manuel Neuer, although he could end up a complete flop if a bigger club sign him way too soon.

Ter Stegen (above) and Butland (below) might be bit too young for the Reds

The same goes to England starlet Jack Butland.  A reasonable buy, although he's only 19 years of age. The long-term problem is fixed, but if Rodger's looking for a quick-fix shot-stopper, a goalkeeper that has just started his Championship career would not be the solution.

Being a player from Wolves isn't a fact that excite many clubs, unless your name is Matthew Jarvis.  However, Wayne Hennessey has proved he can be a top goalkeeper.  At an intimidating height of 6'6'', the Welshman has a fantastic vertical and rarely commits to an error.  On paper, he doesn't look like a class shot-stopper, but don't let that fool you.  He does play for Wolves, after all.  With his club being freshly relegated to the The Championship for 2012-13, raising funds would be a main goal for Wolves, meaning he might not leave for a whole lot.  Although, also coming fresh off a torn knee ligament, Liverpool might want to wait until he returns to his best.  

Good height, good shot-stopper, good price, potential good buy?

Rodgers could turn to Belgian Black Cat Simon Mignolet, whose been a pivotal member of Sunderland since his transfer in 2010.  Clearly one of the most underrated shot-shoppers in England, and one of the most aggressive.  A bargain buy at 2 million pounds for the Black Cats, and starting for one of the best Sunderland teams on paper, this goalkeeper maybe a difficult task to obtain.  However, at the right price, Rodgers could have his man.

Mignolet is one of the best young Belgian talents in the world

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris or Friedel?
23 October 2012. 23:27 by Andy Che

Tottenham Hotspur are in a bit of a dilemma following a summer of successful summer signings.  The newly appointed manager Andre Villas-Boas brought in the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Moussa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen, and fended off pressure from Manchester United and Liverpool to sign Clint Dempsey.  Yet, his most problematic signing up to date may be French international Hugo Lloris from Olympique Lyonnais for 10 million euros.  

The focus on Tottenham's number-one may not be on Brad Friedel anymore...

While AVB sorts out who to start ahead of who, he has made it clear that he prefers Brad Friedel in his goal, who signed with Spurs in 2011. The American is still performing as if he was in his 20s. Despite so, signing a goalkeeper who is in the shadows of the Spurs' No. 1 shirt does make sense, as Friedel's 41-year old body might not keep up with the youthful essence of rest of the squad. Lloris, only 25, is the captain for the French national senior side and has been made only two appearances for Spurs since his arrival, both clean sheets.

So where does Tottenham go from here? The no. 1 goalkeeper lies between either a solid young Lloris who has dominated Ligue 1 with three best-goalkeeper honors in the past four seasons, or a well experienced Friedel, whose career is suggesting he could go out on top, similar to conclusion of Edwin Van Der Sar's career at Man. United.

Friedel might be the more obvious choice, with his near two decades of Premier League experience.  Friedel might not be a goalkeeper known for his trophy case, but he's a goalkeeper that's always carried consistency.  He's up against a goalkeeper who was a true number-one ever since he came into the first team of his youth club, Nice.  The very next season, Lloris became a number-one goalkeeper.  Three years after first appearing as a senior at the age of 18, Lloris transferred to Lyon, where he made almost 200 appearances, and became a distinctive face in the category of promising young goalkeepers. 

The age of 25 is still a very young age for a goalkeeper to inherit the number one position, although for Lloris, he's had that responsibility for six of his seven professional seasons.  The Lyon native is currently staying put on the Tottenham bench.  For Friedel, the Premier League bench was his home when Liverpool signed the corner MLS shot-stopper in 1997.  Inheriting the number one spot didn't seem possible until number three seasons later when he was sold to Blackburn.  A 29-year old Friedel retained true number-one spot since, later appearing for Villa and currently Spurs.  Although, that may not be the case for long.  

David De Gea to leave Man. United? Unlikely
23 October 2012. 17:59 by Andy Che

It's been already one season into David De Gea's Manchester United career, and the 21-year old Spaniard has experienced his shares of high and lows in England's northeast.  Yet, rumours coming out of Manchester is that De Gea is suffering from homesickness, and Real Madrid are ready to pounce.  With four years left on his United contract, the most likely of successors for Iker Casillas' throne on the Spanish senior side is supposedly wanted by Los Blancos. 

David vs Goliath? Will De Gea (above) replace Iker (right) for BOTH club and country?



Reports also indicated that Madrid boss Jose Mourinho's bust-up with captain Iker Casillas support  Real's search for a new goalkeeper, however, this is hardly the case... especially involving the idea of replacing the world's best goalkeeper at the moment.

Yet, the real question is, will De Gea's reported homesickness drive him out of Old Trafford? 

On the pitch, De Gea's only real deficiency is his ability to claim crosses. The 6'4'' native of Madrid prefers to fist crosses away from his box, rather than to catch. He's been heavily scrutinized for that matter.  

Let's look at the facts.  De Gea's shot stopping is without question, world-class; his atleticism may very well top all Premier League goalkeepers. If anyone needs reminding, check out the saves he produced in United's clash at Blackburn in April.  Or maybe De Gea's most stunning save to date, in February at Chelsea in a 3-3 comeback draw.

It's also been a long time since the Spaniard has conceded a goal similar to the howlers he conceded against City and West Brom Albion during his first couple of competitive matches for Man. United.

Could Petr Cech stop this Olsson rocket at Ewood Park?

 Joe Hart might have let his Mata dead-ball pass in the ''El-Cashico'' derby

With a 77.9% shots-to-saves ratio in the entire 2011-12 season, De Gea topped all Premier League goalkeeper, and made the most stops despite the absence of United's captain and heart-of-defense Nemanja Vidic to a season-ending injury.  However, the greatest statistic may very well be his five consecutive clean sheets late in the season, during United's late push for the title, proving the boy could play under pressure.  United lost out on the title only on goal difference.

De Gea's adapted to the English style of play for the most part, and the fact that he's only 21 gives him plenty of time to continue his development as a Man. United number-one.  From starting his Premier League career as the next Massimo Taibi to becoming maybe the next legendary shot-stopper at Manchester United, it's almost certain that De Gea has secured his playing status between Old Trafford's sticks. 

So why is it now that De Gea is beginning to feel the homesickness, after an entire year of adapting to England?  Maybe that's a question for the English press to answer.