http://www.espn.com/soccer/english-...e-mistake-how-do-the-pros-handle-the-pressure A good article on the psychological aspect to keepers (even the top ones). It was before my time, but incredible that 1 game doomed Howard's career at United.
It wasnt nearly as bad as the liverpool goalkeeper last year but the effects could be comparable. It is why I harp on mistakes, especially basic ones. Howard should have never given up that rebound and very unlucky to have it happen in that game at that point.
Steffen will almost certainly go on loan somewhere. He is awkwardly sandwiched in age between Ederson (25, Brazilian) and Arijanet Murić (20, Kosovan), the latter they've been grooming for four years now and is very good. They also picked up Gavin Bazunu (17, Irish) last February and of course have another 4-6 English goalkeepers in their system. Man City - like most top teams - have the resources to roll the dice on a slew of players then turn around and sell them for whatever they want because they have close to infinite money. All that said, even if Steffen doesn't play a minute with Man City's senior team (a strong possibility), it will almost certainly be a good move for his career. Being a Man City "wash out" is still really good for a player's rep. I could easily see him landing in France or Italy long term with a Europa League club, somewhat similar to Horvath's situation. Playing time is not the goal, development is. And any club that is trying to win silverware is going to do everything they can to develop their assets. So even if he's only with Man City for a couple of years and is sold/cut, it'll be time well spent.
I agree with the post above regarding playing time versus development. I mentioned it before, but goalkeepers face less of a “ race against time “ than field players do. GK’s peak much later and can play much later age wise at the highest level. There is less of a rush to make it big even though a lot of fans fall into this line of thinking.
For the closest watchers of the game, are there any notable keepers (whether American or foreign) who peaked early like in their early 20's (and quite Hyped) only to regress far sooner than expected or simply never reached all the early Hype?
As I was typing my earlier response, I did think of that. The one that came to mind was Manuel Neuer. I dont follow him closely, but in his early 20's he was perhaps the best in the world, now, I believe he isnt as good.
He's made - by FAR - the most money out of everyone else on that team. Just got picked up by the Jags for like 15 million dollars.
I know such an odd journey but one that's worked out for him. I remember Meola trying to play for the Jets but maybe he was too old by then.
I guess Johnson would get the 3rd group stage match to rest Steffen. Miller is just there to make up the numbers.
Actually Miller is playing better than Johnson and Steffen now. Steffen isn't playing well at all. I don't remember him ever allowing the goals like the second one today.
I personally think Jesse Gonzalez is playing better than all of them...…………...but maybe that's just me.
Getting beat by a great shot from distance that he got a late jump on due to being screened is not playing well, but giving up a goal off a rebound that hit Miller in the chest is playing better?
Agreed. I'm sure Steffen would have liked a second chance to save that long-distance shot, but I was expecting to see some terrible gaffe of the sort we've seen recently from other keepers.
His positionin wasnt great on the second but I was referring to the first. He wasnt very convincing on the initial save and rebound couldn't have gone to a more dangerous spot. can be seen with multiple replays at 1:37 of this video.
Should Steffen's #1 spot be in danger? If possession and playing out of the back are Berhalter's goals for the Gold Cup, then Sean Johnson may be a better short-term solution even if Steffen is a better shot stopper. Long-term, Ethan Horvath is still a contender once he recovers from his finger injury.