Premier League clubs shouldn’t longer have to look overseas to fill vacancies that are goalkeeping, according to the guy who attracted David De Gea at 2011 to Manchester United.
De Gea’s contract at Old Trafford expires next summer and Eric Steele, who recruited the Spaniard from Atletico Madrid, thinks there’s more English talent than any stage in the past ten years and there should no more be any requirement to look abroad for replacements.
Steele was United’s goalkeeping coach when De Gea came in England to replace Edwin van der Sar and then educated him to get his first two seasons in the club.
He says there has been a dearth of English goalkeeping ability available back then which is the reason why he and several other Premier League clubs – looked to deliver in’keepers from overseas. But that might not need to be the case nine years if United can’t tied De Gea to fresh terms and need to source a replacement.
“Yeah, I always still did it. And because you know, it was in a very major club. At the time, I had to have a good look about,” Steele told Sky Sports News.
“I seem today, and it’s come half ring – maybe not quite full circle yet, but it’s got to promote us. As an England set-up, it is good to have greater English keepers playing in the Premier League, and long may it last.”
Steele is an integral figure within the FA, in how best to develop talent, training the nation’s goalkeeping coaches.
The advantages of that talent development are showing clear results with Jordan Pickford (Everton), Tom Heaton (Aston Villa), Nick Pope (Burnley), Dean Henderson (Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United), Angus Gunn (Southampton) and Aaron Ramsdale (Bournemouth) making up a nutritious collection of English goalkeepers – including Watford veteran Ben Foster – playing in the Premier League.
“We have probably now got the ideal depth [from English goalkeeping], so St George’s Park has functioned. The DNA is perfect. We are currently seeing the fruition of this – we’ve won tournaments. And developed a lot of gift,” Steele said.
He states the development of Ramsdale, who has established each of four Premier League matches for Bournemouth so much this season, provides the ideal example.
“Ramsdale was in England’s junior teams a few decades ago, he then carried on through the U20s, U21s, and he’s currently playing Premier League football. That’s development, that is totally what we want.
“Now he is playing one of the seven English goalkeepers in the Premier League. We have a depth of talent that ought to see us fine for the next 10-15 years.”
Steele believes the coming in England of De Gea indicated a revolution in just what the goalkeeper’s role is contained in a group.
“Back then, concerning the work you would do on the practice pitch, it’d most likely be 70 per cent focused on the palms – ensuring you keep it out of the web – and 30 per cent on the feet, with the chunk. Now, it’s probably reversed,” he continued.
“Premier League coaches have realised that the positive effect keepers can have on the team. It’s developed immeasurably over the last 10 decades.”
Steele states goalkeepers are shipped out to practice. He says they involved with attacking and defensive drills, at the heart of the group, and are expected to passing moves in coaching, and in matches.
What’s it no longer to be a?
“You have got to have this. I believe you need to keep the ball out of the internet. However, look at Alisson, seem at Ederson. Look at Pickford for England,” Steele said.
“Steve Holland (Southgate’s helper ) did a session [with the senior England squad] yesterday – a whole session about how best to guard setup plays. In order that attracts the right into the center, but he did that in a game environment.
“It is closeness with both the hands and the feet – cope with the shots and the crosses stillout of ownership, goalkeepers now need to sweep behind their defence.
“It’s about an awareness of risk, and an awareness of how to build strikes. And you must do that within a group framework.”
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