Long gone are the days when the goalkeeper’s job was to make saves, catch crosses and kick the ball as far up the pitch as possible. The modern incarnation of the No 1 is a complex role that we sometimes underestimate. Alongside the shot-stopping, goalkeepers have to be great communicators, comfortable in possession and have in-depth tactical knowledge.
There is so much emphasis on playing out from the back and keeping possession that coaches do not want 10 outfield players and a goalkeeper, they want 11 players who are really comfortable with the ball at their feet. When a modern goalkeeper has the ball they can play as an extra outfield player, meaning the centre- backs can move higher up the pitch and everyone moves up. Historically, centre-backs have the most touches and are in charge of starting the buildup but if the goalkeeper can do that, it gives a side another element. Teams often press high and it is really difficult for goalkeepers because they have to receive the ball under pressure near their goal before finding a pass and equally need to do their fundamental work with their hands.
It is a bit like chess, where you have to think about what the opposition are about to do next to determine your decision. Someone like Ederson will see an opponent pressing, as Arsenal did in Manchester City’s win at the Etihad in April, and will know Erling Haaland is up the field, and he has the ability to skip a link and go straight to the striker with a long pass to put Arsenal on the back foot. Equally, when an opponent is playing deeper, Ederson will know to play it shorter and start a move in a more patient manner. Goalkeepers have to read the opposition and know where the spare player is and how to get the ball to them in a safe but penetrative way. Usually, the spare player will be a centre-back but it could be someone else and the goalkeeper has to find them.
We have witnessed the difficulties David de Gea has gone through as he tries to adapt to Erik ten Hag’s system of wanting his goalkeeper to pass the ball out. De Gea has won the players’ player of the season award four times at Manchester United, including last season, and has four player of the year awards from the fans because he is a great shot-stopper, but Ten Hag wants him to up his level with the ball at his feet. We have seen Ederson, Alisson and David Raya, who are great in possession, make mistakes with their feet, so we have to be understanding of what De Gea is being asked to do after a long and successful career playing in a different manner.
The error De Gea made at West Ham on Sunday that led to his team’s 1-0 defeat was not related to playing out from the back but I think United should be careful what they wish for when it comes to talk of replacing the Spaniard. United will always be analysing to see whether there is someone more suited to a role and will have potential goalkeeping targets but Ten Hag’s focus will be on giving De Gea confidence and working on what he wants from him to improve De Gea and the team. It is hard to find the perfect fit, so when you have someone of De Gea’s quality, making them better seems a sensible solution.
If you look at Chelsea, they have Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is great with his feet, and Édouard Mendy, who is a great traditional goalkeeper. You can see the difference when either one plays and both have strengths and weaknesses but neither has made the No 1 spot their own and Chelsea look set to find a replacement in the summer.
The psychological side of things is fascinating for a goalkeeper. They can be perceived as redundant for 88 minutes and then be required to make an incredible save, which needs remarkable concentration. I would not have been able to do it – I wanted to be permanently involved in the action.
Whenever a goalkeeper makes a mistake it is highlighted because it often results in a goal. To be able to recover from that takes a certain mindset and a strong personality.
If I made a mistake, I could quickly attempt to rectify it. If I lost the ball, I could press to win it back and if I missed a shot, I could try to score the next one. For a goalkeeper, it can be a long wait for the next shot and they have to get their previous error out of their mind, despite having time to dwell on it, so it does not affect their performance.
Goalkeepers need to be great communicators, too. During the pandemic, I was lucky to go to games and because it was so quiet I could really hear who the good communicators were. I went to an England Under-21 match and Aaron Ramsdale was basically a coach for the outfield players and was constantly navigating. Rio Ferdinand says the best defenders don’t have to defend because they are organised, and it is the same for goalkeepers because they try to put everyone in the right place to ensure they do not have to deal with many shots.
When I look back to the successful teams I was a part of, we always had a great goalkeeper. You have to give them a lot of praise because no one else could do what they do. I may have previously underestimated their job but I will not make that mistake again.
