Are England’s goalkeepers in the best form of their lives?
There has been a flurry of excitement for England’s Euro’s qualifier at Wembley tonight against Lithuania.
While everyone is wondering whether or not Tottenham sensation Harry Kane will start this, evening there is also a lot of excitement when looking at the goalkeepers.
Joe Hart has been on fantastic form this season, pulling off some superb saves, but he is not England’s only goalkeeper who has been of form in recent months. It is great to see so much young talent in an England side who are really testing Joe Hart for his place in the starting eleven.
With Ben Foster and Fraser Forster now out with long term injuries, many believe it has now left England with “one world class” goalkeeper. Let’s have a look at those shot-stoppers who have been making the headlines this season.
With so much competition it will be interesting to see – are English goalkeepers in the best form of their lives?
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Ben Foster
Ben Foster was impressive throughout last season, which earned him a call up for the 2014 World Cup squad.
He was the first West Brom player to represent England since 1970. This season he has carried on that form and it earned him another call up as Hart’s understudy.
This was until the game last weekend against Stoke where he suffered a cartilage injury, which has ruled him out until October.
Fraser Forster
Fraser Forster, Southampton’s leading keeper has had a fantastic season so far, which earned him a call-up for the England squad. Sadly just after his call-up, he was injured against Burnley, which has ruled him out of action for eight months.
Forster had only conceded 21 goals as part of the tightest defence in the Premier League so far this term before his injury, and he was really in form of his life. He was certainly giving Roy Hodgson a lot to think about. Such a bad timing for an injury!
Jack Butland
Jack Butland has had quite a mixed season so far. In October he joined Derby on loan, where he was an immediate success.
He was soon called back by Stoke and has since been back-up for Asmir Begovic. Since returning to Stoke he has only played in FA Cup and League Cup matches, but he has recently signed a contract extension to keep him at Stoke until 2019.
Seems a bit of an odd choice to call him up for England when he has had so little game time, but what can you do when two of your top three choices are out?
Rob Green
Rob Green has been at Queen’s Park Rangers since 2012 and, despite their struggles this season, he has been in excellent form for the struggling club.
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Rumours are currently circulating that Jose Mourinho has been keeping an eye on Green who, at 35, is nearing the end of his career.
It seems he is keen to sign Green in the summer to replace veteran Chelsea goalie Petr Cech. Now he has been called-up as Joe Hart’s number 2 and that certainly won’t harm his chances of moving to the Premier League leaders.
Joe Hart
Joe Hart, number one for Manchester City, has been in unstoppable form in recent weeks after that unforgettable one man show against Barcelona. Lionel Messi hailed him “unplayable” at that match.
He had a slow start to the season but has really hit a peak of form. Let’s hope we see it at National level because he can be incredible to watch when he is in form.
It has been a while since we have had so many goalkeepers who are in decent form to choose from- it can only be a good thing. Come on England!