Transfer Needs – Goalkeepers

And so it begins…

Yes it is that crazy speculative time where we guess who is going to be on their way to the football club. Frem, try to contain yourself buddy 🙂

Anyway, I wanted to take a look at some of the players who may be arriving at Villa Park, broken down into positions. Please note that the links are only based on rumour or suitability and provide no indication that I am saying x or y will be here next season. Anyway, let’s kick things off:

Goalkeepers

Ben Foster

Current Club – Birmingham City

Pros – A long term option, Foster is likely to be able to stay at the club for an extended period of time. Was one of the few shining lights for Birmingham last season, and was called on regularly to stop goals flying in. If it wasn’t for Joe Hart, he’d be England number 1 no doubt.
Cons – Not exactly going to be cheap with a £10m price tag quoted. Then there’s the fact that the Blues board might not want to sell us any players after we appointed their manager. Went down with Blues although, given the circumstances, many could argue he wasn’t really at fault.

Robert Green

Current Club – West Ham United

Pros- Robert Green restored back to his full belief is a solid keeper, and one that is achievable for a reasonable price. Moving back to the Premier League would be a good move for him, and would mean more of a chance of getting back in the England squad.
Cons – It is debatable if Green can get back to his pre-World Cup levels of belief. Since then he has been known to come out flapping at crosses, and was part of a West Ham team that were relegated.

Ali al-Habsi

Current Club – Bolton Wanderers

Pros – Comparatively speaking, al-Habsi is a good value signing. Likely to cost around half the price of Foster, al-Habsi is certainly not half the player that Ben Foster is. Pulled off some astounding saves that kept Wigan in the Premier League. Is available after Wigan had contacted Bolton to take an option on him.
Cons – Realistically speaking, he may just have been having a one off season. Is his 4 years at Bolton with only 10 appearances an indictment of al-Habsi, or an argument for just how good Jussi Jaaskelainen is? Given that Jaaskelainen isn’t getting any younger, Bolton may see al-Habsi as the obvious replacement.

Shay Given

Current Club – Manchester City

Pros – Nobody would question the ability of Shay Given, with his tag as the best Premier League keeper being a very true statement up until a few years ago, and him not being listed as best keeper is merely down to the fact that he isn’t playing due to Joe Hart. If Brad Friedel can play till he is 40+, then why can’t Shay Given?
Cons – Whilst it is possible Given could play for a good three seasons from now, there is no real guarantee of it. He can hardly be considered a long term option, and thus isn’t a massively good value for money transfer considering how much he may cost in wages and fees for three years.

Lee Camp

Current Club – Nottingham Forest

Pros – A former Forest player of the season, coming as a runner up to Luke Chambers in last season’s award. At 26, he still has his best years ahead of him. A Northern Ireland international means Camp has experience of playing against some top quality players.
Cons – Hasn’t played in the Premier League and, like any player who hasn’t played at this level, he is a risk.

Wayne Hennessey

Current Club – Wolverhampton Wanderers

Pros – He has Premier League experience, and at 24 has a long career ahead of him. His size and 6’5″ height means he commands his area well.
Cons – With four years left on his contract, and Wolves having no pressing need to sell him, then the cost may be pushed into a prohibitive area considering our budget available.

Joe Lewis

Current Club – Peterborough United

Pros – A young keeper, and likely to improve in future. Realistically would be a number two rather than a number one though.
Cons – In terms of being a backup keeper – very few. The jump to the Premier League is a big move though, and arguably one that not everyone can make.

Who do you want?

So that covers some of the players who might be able to take their position between the sticks next season. Do you think one of them could be our man? Or do you think someone else is better suited? Either way, you can let us know below.