Former Republic of Ireland international, Eamon Dunphy, once said that a goalkeeper had to have “the grace of a ballet dancer joined with the strength of an SAS squaddie, the dignity of an ancient kind, and the nerve of a bomb disposal officer”. The following goalkeepers may not have journalists raving about them every week, but they all have qualities that make them irreplaceable members of their teams. Sport.co.uk sheds some light on some of the names that often get overlooked for the number one jersey. If you think we’ve forgotten a star performer, feel free to air your opinion in the comments section.
Paul Robinson – Blackburn Rovers
He may have been ruthlessly dispensed with by the England hierarchy, but the Rovers keeper remains one of the best goalkeepers in the country. Robinson put in an exceptional shift last weekend at Anfield making some superb diving stops, only to be undone by Fernando Torres in the second half. Sam Allardyce has often sung the praises of his number one. At the end of last season, Big Sam said: “There’s not a better English goalkeeper who has consistently performed as well as he has.” There’s a glowing endorsement, if the former Spurs keeper ever needed one.
Lukasz Fabianski – Arsenal
If you caught Arsenal’s demolition of Manchester City last weekend you would have seen the Pole produce some fine saves to deny Roberto Mancini’s men. Arsene Wenger has often spoken highly of the 25-year-old, stating that he’s a future number one at the Emirates in the making. Fabianski may have had a disastrous time last season, but with Manuel Almunia undoubtedly out of favour, and Fabianski stringing together several impressive performances, Wenger may not need to splash the cash in January for a top quality stopper after all.
Victor Valdes – Barcelona
You don’t become number one at the Nou Camp unless you’re an exceptional goalkeeper. Already the Spaniard has four La Liga winners medals and two Champions League winners medals under his belt, yet he continues to be eclipsed by his fellow countryman, Iker Casillas at international level. Only this year Valdes made his debut for Spain, and at the age of 28 it’s remarkable a player of his calibre has only been capped three times.
Tributes are being paid as the world of football mourns Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who has died after being struck by a train in an apparent suicide. Enke, 32, who played for Hannover 96 and was rumoured to be suffering from depression was hit by a train at a level crossing near Hannover. He is thought to have struggled to cope with the loss of his daughter Lara, who died aged two in 2006 of a rare heart condition,