Archives for "Keeper News"
REUSCH GOALKEEPER JÚLIO CÉSAR BECOMES THE 2010 UEFA CLUB GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR.
After the historic treble by winning the Italian Serie A 2009/10, the Coppa Italia 2009/10 as well as the UEFA Champions League 2010, Brazilian César got the award for the 2010 UEFA goalkeeper of the year. Beating Hugo Lloris of Olympique Lyonnais and F.C. Barcelona’s Victor Valdés, the Reusch goalkeeper now ranks with legends such as Peter Schmeichel, Oliver Kahn or Petr Cech, who have won the trophy in the past. During the last season César kept 25 clean sheets, which proofs his outstanding performance. It was the first time he was called the UEFA goalkeeper of the year but for sure it won’t remain the last. Congratulations to Júlio César, a goalkeeper with much potential for many more victories! Let’s stay excited!
Júlio César wears the Reusch Magno Deluxe M1 Mega Grip Ortho-Tec (yellow black)
GIVEN SET FOR FULHAM SWITCH
Fulham boss Mark Hughes is hoping to sign Shay Given on loan before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
The Cottagers’ current first-choice keeper, Mark Schwarzer, has been the subject of two bids from Arsenal and the veteran Australia international is eager to join the Gunners.
Although Hughes is willing to let the 37-year-old go, he insists Fulham must first find a replacement and Given has emerged as his prime target.
The Manchester City keeper has seen Joe Hart reclaim first-choice status after returning from last season’s loan spell at Birmingham.
City boss Roberto Mancini would like Given to stay and provide competition for Hart but at 34, the Ireland international wants regular first-team football.
That could come at Craven Cottage, where former City boss Hughes succeeded Roy Hodgson this summer.
“Mark Schwarzer has made it clear that he would like to go to Arsenal so we are trying to look at other options,” said the Fulham manager.
“I’m always interested in quality players and Shay Given is a quality player. Make of that what you will.
“But I have said that if we can’t get anyone else in, Schwarzer will have to stay.”
Hughes signed Given from Newcastle for a cut-price £8million in January 2009 and he soon proved his class in the City goal.
However, Given lost out to Hart in the battle to start the season as City’s first-choice keeper and the new England number one looks set to hold onto his place having been in sparkling form.
Stocky in possible England call up!
This story is from this mornings Mail on Sunday.
Just four years since he was plying his trade for the likes of Worksop Town and Wakefield and Emley, on Sunday David Stockdale will be teaming up with Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard et al ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
After just four Premier League games, including a virtuoso performance in the season’s opener and a great penalty save against Manchester United, he has done enough to catch the eye of England manager Fabio Capello.
He injured an ankle in Fulham’s draw at Blackpool yesterday but will join up with the squad today.
However, if the medical staff decide he should return to his club for treatment, the 24-year-old’s England dream will be put on hold.
Stockdale has played for England – for the National Game XI, a team composed solely of non-League players.
That was during his time at Conference side York, where criticism by boss Billy McEwen about his weight proved a turning point.
He has admitted that the remarks forced him to re-focus on his career, which helped earn him a move to Darlington.
‘I got back into shape after letting myself go at York, which was welldocumented,’ Stockdale said at the time.
‘I accept that now but I would have preferred not to have been criticised in public. It probably gave me a kick up the backside and I feel a better person now.’
He joined Fulham in 2008 and, after loan periods at Rotherham, Leicester and Plymouth, earned his chance after Mark Schwarzer’s injury
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Begovic set for showdown talks, as bid to force Chelsea move
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has criticised Bosnian Asmir Begovic.
Begovic 23, is believed to want a move away from Stoke with Chelsea reportly interested in the keeper.
Last night the the stopper refused to play for the club in Stokes Carling Cup last tie.
Pulis told the BBC “He said this morning he did not want to play,” “I find that very disappointing. We pay his wages and he has a responsibility to the club.”
Pulis added: “Obviously, people have been blowing in his ear. That goes on. I’ll chat with him on Wednesday.”
“We have a lot of supporters who idolise this club and love it,” added Pulis.
“We have a management team and people around who have been here a long time.
“They respect the club and like it as much as the supporters do. To do what he [Begovic] has done is totally disrespectful.”
When asked if Begovic’s actions would push the keeper closer to an exit from the Britannia Stadium outfit, Pulis replied: “With our chairman [Peter Coates] it is less likely. I do not think Peter will be pushed around.
“We won’t be giving him [Begovic] away and doing a deal because of what he has done.
“There has been interest from one or two clubs but nowhere near our valuation. We think he is a good goalkeeper and we want good players.”
Foster wants regular England spot
Ex United keeper Ben Foster has set his sights on becoming England’s number one goalkeeper after a fine start with his new club Birmingham City.
Foster had a man-of-the-match display in the 2-1 win over Blackburn at the weekend, it including a penalty save..
The 27-year-old told BBC WM: “When I’m with England I want to be playing, it’s as simple as that really.
“I want to be playing no matter who I’m with and England’s no different.”
Foster, who has won four England caps, was included in the squad for the first friendly following the World Cup, against Hungary at Wembley on 11 August, he was forced to pull out the day before the game because of a back injury.
Alex McLeish believes he has already proved his worth to the team.
“Ben’s already saved us points,” he told BBC WM. “What a save it was from the penalty. He struck it really well and it was a phenomenal save.”
Foster has a reputation as a penalty-saving expert.
“I’m delighted with it, especially seeing it come back off the bar,” Foster added.
“You’ve got to do your homework and our media guy has done a fantastic job. He’s pulling clips from all sorts of dark areas on the internet and that little bit of research can prove the difference.”
ben Foster has been wearing the Sells Wrap Axis Exosphere which is available at great-save.com for £79.99 and available in sizes 8 – 11 inc’s half sizes
Above Ben Foster’s choice of gloves, the Sells Wrap Axis Exosphere
Allan McGregor To Escape Sanctions
Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor will not be punished by the Scottish FA for his playacting against Hibernian where the player feigned injury during an incident with striker Derek Riordan.
The Ibrox number one was once again in the headlines for the wrong reasons last night as he was roundly condemned for going down in a heap clutching his face as if head butted by Riordan during a stormy first half in the game between the two sides. Television replays showed there was clearly no contact between the two players.
Referee Iain Brines handed out yellow cards to McGregor and Riordan and that meant that the SFA will not subject the goalkeeper to a trial by video, as the official would have been judged to have dealt with the incident under the rules.
Hibs midfielder Edwin de Graaf has already passed down his judgement though on the Rangers shotstopper’s conduct.
“There was no contact, nothing happened. It is disappointing when you see that.” De Graaf fumed.
“You want to play football and for players to have respect for each other. It was not nice for their keeper to do that kind of thing.”
The Dutch midfielder insisted that while he did not want McGregor to receive a suspension, his actions were not in the right spirit of the game.
“If you want to win, everything is allowed. But when somebody does that, the other team don’t like it.” De Graaf added.
“I don’t want to see him banned, though. I hope he plays next week.”
Both clubs’ managers refused to comment on the incident.
“I didn’t think there was much in it. I just asked Allan how his knee was after the challenge.” Rangers boss Walter Smith said.
“I did see the Riordan and McGregor incident. What did the pictures say? Next question. That’s why we all love the game, because there’s plenty there to talk about.” Hibs manager John Hughes offered.
“We’re talking about Derek and Allan – they’re the best of mates, but that’s football.”
Jaaskelainen slams treatment of Green
Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has blasted Fabio Capello for his part in Rob Green’s nightmare World Cup.
Jaaskelainen will get a chance to chat with Green about the summer’s events when Bolton travel to West Ham on Saturday.
And the Finn said: ‘Capello should have given him more confidence by giving him a few more games before the World Cup and made sure he knew he was his number one.
‘It’s never nice for a goalkeeper if you don’t know if the manager is behind you.’
Jussi Jaaskelainen has been wearing the Uhlsport Cerberus Absolutgrip R
Fulham still looking for new No1
Fulham manager Mark Hughes will still maintain his pursuit of an experienced goalkeeper to replace the unsettled Mark Schwarzer despite Pro GK endorse keeper David Stockdale’s excellent performance in frustrating Manchester United yesterday.
Stockdale’s made penalty save from Nani three minutes from time.
He put in a fine display and helped Fulham to go on get a late equaliser, Brede Hangeland making amends for his own goal with a thumped header in stoppage time.
Stockdale is only 25-year-old and was making only his third Premier League start, following a clean sheet at Bolton on the opening afternoon, and has impressed with his shot-stopping.
Yet there are concerns that the new Fulham manager Mark Hughes is concerned at the youngster’s lack of senior experience could eventually catch up with him if Schwarzer, who was apparently still nursing a back injury, were allowed to move and a replacement not recruited.
“Stockdale has done very well and is a good young keeper,” the Fulham manager said. “We’ve been impressed with what we’ve seen since we’ve been here, and he’s arguably been the star man in both games.
“He’s been outstanding and, had this game gone to 3-1, it would have been United’s. We’re pleased with what he’s producing at the moment but it’s always difficult for young keepers. They get by initially on adrenalin and enthusiasm, but can they keep it up over time? It’s a long season and you’ve got to be careful with them.”
Stockdale had this to say “That’s another showing I can go to the manager with and say: ‘There you go. That’s what I can do,’” “I was just trying to get the lads out of the deep muck. It’s hard enough trying to dislodge Mark Schwarzer at the best of times but I’ll just take it day by day now and see what happens.”
Schwarzer is at the subject of two £2m bids from Arsenal to date.
Hart keeps sticks for Europa League clash with FC Timisoara
Man City manager Roberto Mancini has this afternoon confirmed that Joe Hart will retain his place between the posts for Citys next game.
Hart was outstanding in the goalless draw at Tottenham on Saturday after being handed the jersey in preference to Shay Given.
Reports this afternoon sujest Mancini sees no reason to change things, which could push the experienced Republic of Ireland international closer to the exit door.
‘Joe Hart will play,’ said the City boss. ‘I had a very difficult choice to make before the Spurs game because I have two world-class goalkeepers. It is difficult for one of them to sit on the bench.
‘I respect Shay Given a lot. He is a good man and I want him to stay, but I also understand any decision he might make.
Joe Hart is an official endorsee of Umbro and wears Umbro goalkeeper gloves.
Brough agree Brad Jones transfer to Liverpool
The 28-year-old completed the switch on Tuesday after travelling to Merseyside for a medical.
The Australia international will act as cover at Anfield for regular keeper Jose Reina.
Jones qualifies as a “home-grown” player under the new Premier League rules after joining the Teessiders from Australian amateur side Bayswater City.
He made 75 first-team appearances for Boro and spent time on loan at Blackpool, Rotherham, Stockport and Sheffield Wednesday.
However, he admitted that he will face a battle to add to those appearances as he tries to oust first choice Jose Reina at Anfield.
“They’ve told me they want me to do what I do and put pressure on Pepe Reina and Diego Cavalieri,” he told Liverpool’s official site.
“That’s fine, I’m happy to do that, I’ve got to give it a go.
“Roy Hodgson hasn’t promised anything and I would never expect that from a manager. It’s up to me to work hard and make his decisions for him.
“It’s not going to be easy to get past Pepe. He’s shown over the last couple of years how good he is.
“You don’t play for the clubs he’s played for and the tournaments he’s played in and not be world class.
“Obviously that side of it is going to be tough but I’ll do what I can and try to put a bit of pressure on him.”
Brad Jones is officially endorsed by Reusch and wears Reusch goalkeeper gloves.
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