Barnfred 55
Player Valuation: £80m
In fairness mate, I don't think either Karius or Zieler were as highly rated in Germany as they were on this forum, and I believe that was reflected in their respective transfer fees.I think this is the territory we are getting to with Joel now. His clean sheets record is very good, he calms the defence in front of him and makes me calm watching us. I remember in his second season, coming into a side that was completely all over the place defensively he kept something daft like 3 consecutive clean sheets. It was the only timer under Martinez we looked like we wouldn't conceede.
This is a lad who at youth level was ahead of De Gea. Now I doubt he will ever get to that level, and it it almost Kopite levels of delusion to suggest that he automatically will. However goalkeepers tend to peak at different moments and some do develop later, as they grow into their bodies somewhat.
For what is a youngish goalkeeper getting his first proper run his record of clean sheets and other stats are massively impressive. I believe he will continue to improve (and will need too) but people play down just how well he's been playing for us.
Our alternatives in the summer are to go and buy an elite goalkeeper. Could we entice away someone like a Lloris? I highly doubt it. Or we get a prospect. As indicated I like Butland, there are likes like Horn or Leno from Germany. However having seen Karuis and Feiler similarly highly rated from Germany struggle to adapt are they significantly better than Joel? Likewise Butland post injury, is he that much better than Joel?
I don't wax lyrical over goalkeepers. I am a tough judge. The only one I've seen for us better than Joel was Martyn (I only got the end of Southall).
of the other two you mentioned, Leno, in particular, is top class imo, but why would he come here when he is getting regular CL football at his current club. Horn is a level below but I wouldn't be unhappy were we to acquire his signature. He and Joel would be excellent competition for each other.
But how much would he cost?. IF Joel continues his current form for the rest of the season, do we have enough of a transfer budget to lay out £30m+ on a keeper when so many other area's need improving?.
In hindsight, I'm pleased that we didn't panic buy a keeper in January as robles has earned this opportunity to show what he can do. Here's hoping he can keep it going for the rest of the season and save us some money in the summer. Like you say, it's a long tome since I've felt this level of confidence in one of our keepers, but injury and confidence have a habit of nipping you in the butt when you least expect it.