16 goalkeepers. That’s how much England has worn out in 14 years. The current capstone, Jordan Pickford, certainly does not receive the same amount of support from everyone. Why can’t England find an undisputed number 1? “The atmosphere around the English goalkeeper in recent years is far from ideal.”
Do the names John Ruddy, Tom Heaton or Jack Butland mean anything to you?
They have all played a few rounds on the English goalkeeper carousel. And that has been running at full speed for ten years.
“Since the farewell of David Seaman in 2002, goalkeepers have come and gone,” says Nico Vaesen, who himself was active as a goalkeeper in England for almost 10 years.
If Kane misses 4 chances and then he finishes 1, all is forgotten. That is not the case when a goalkeeper makes a mistake.
“Each one of them is critically viewed by the English media and fans. If Harry Kane misses 4 chances and then he finishes 1, all is forgotten. That is not the case when a goalkeeper makes a mistake.”
Joe Hart has had a hard time as England goalkeeper on more than one occasion.
5 years holder but never with full confidence
“The atmosphere created around the English goalkeeper is far from ideal or correct. Although there have certainly been some failures in the national team in the past 20 years,” Vaesen admits.
Wasn’t that criticism there from predecessors? “Yes, previous goalkeepers such as Seaman were also criticized. The difference is that they remained standing and were given new opportunities.”
Joe Hart was finished off again at the slightest mistake. For example, it is difficult to leave someone standing in the long term.
With Joe Hart, England seemed to have briefly left for a stable spell in goal. “He has certainly also played good matches for the national team,” says Vaesen.
“But at the slightest mistake, Hart was killed again. It is difficult to leave someone standing in the long term.”
The ex-Manchester City goalkeeper started in the majority of matches for 5 years, but he never received 100 percent support in England. No less than 10 other goalkeepers get a chance, none of them could grab it.
Hart was accused of not communicating well with his defense and being too insecure on high balls. Too many blunders followed in 2017: Joe Hart’s career with England is definitely over.
Strong performing Pickford, but criticism is never far away
Hart’s successor was ready that same year. At the age of 23, Jordan Pickford, the most expensive English goalkeeper ever, made his debut for the national team.
Pickford is mentally strong enough to handle the pressure of the first goalkeeper.
“He is heading in the right direction again,” says Vaesen. “He is mentally strong enough to deal with the pressure. It is always there in the position of first goalkeeper in England.”
Pickford already had a strong European Championship last year and he is certainly not disappointing at this World Cup either. “He hardly disappoints on an international level,” says Vaesen. “It can only go wrong at his club Everton.”
Pickford plays a strong European Championship in 2021, but cannot definitively silence his critics.
In 2019, for example, with the move to Newcastle. With a 0-2 lead, Pickford laughed at the home fans and stuck out his tongue. However, he kept with little confidence and so he gave away 3 more goals.
“Pickford needs to focus on the game rather than the supporters,” said Ian Wright at the BBC after the game.
A year later, the goalkeeper also received a lot of criticism from Alan Shearer, among others. The reason for this is the tackle in which Pickford seriously injures Virgil van Dijk. Once again it feeds the discussion around the English number 1.
Virgil van Dijk was out for almost a year after Pickford’s surgery.
Renewal in English goalkeeper training
The malaise in England raises questions about goalkeeper training in the country. “When I still played in England (from 1998 to 2006, ed.) There was indeed a bit of a lack of quality goalkeeper training,” says Vaesen.
“Now I have the feeling that there is. I know the current goalkeeper coach of England and his predecessor. They have implemented a lot of new training techniques in the training there.”
There used to be the philosophy that the least football player was in goal. That is now evolving.
Although Vaesen does not want to compare contemporary goalkeeper work with that of his time. “There used to be the philosophy that the least football player was in goal. That is now evolving, it is not a simple one kick and rush Lake.”
“English goalkeepers are now more technically sophisticated, look at Pickford. He’s good with his feet. Building from the back used to be considered criminal in England. That’s not the case anymore.”
Stark contrast with France:
England has therefore been looking for stability between the posts for years. A very different story with France, England’s opponent in the quarter-finals tonight.
Since Hugo Lloris’ debut in 2008, only 7 different goalkeepers have played for France. And above all: with Lloris there is a clear first goalkeeper who is not up for discussion.
