It’s hard to remember any other season where goalkeepers, that much maligned and quixotic group have been in the news so much. This season is turning out to be different. The season of the rebel goalkeeper who won’t lie down even to save face. The latest goalkeeper in the news for being mutinous is Victor Valdes, now shown the door for daring to disobey Louis Van Gaal at Man Utd.
Earlier, it was Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas banished to Porto as Florentino Perez decided the legendary face of the Merengues had become a liability on and off the pitch. And even earlier, Petr Cech fuming at having to play second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea all of last season was agitating for a move which his boss was loth to give as his desired destination was league rival Arsenal. It took the intervention of the boss’s boss, Roman Abrahamovic, to set Cech free. Cech’s worth to the Gunners has been estimated at 12-15 points won.
We now await the drama surrounding David De Gea who might yet depart for Real Madrid but even if he doesn’t this transfer window there is enough to suggest he will not renew his contract which expires next year. This may not worry Van Gaal, as Ander Herrera could step in at a pinch.
Goalkeeping is usually a thankless task. “it’s his job to make saves” to “we effing lost because of him” to “why is he here, he hasn’t touched the ball once?” So its refreshing to hear the not to be seen, not to be heard, why are they here group of oddballs who polarize fans are getting some attention, any attention.