Catalancs wrote:
:lol: Classic Robbie.
Well there was only 2 from England in there. One was Reina, the other wasn't Kingson.
I've spoken before about goalkeepers, it's one of those positions where people can be exceptionally biased and it's sort of hard to prove them wrong. With most clubs only needing one goalkeeper, there can be many great ones playing at varying levels, if any club has a competent 'keeper, they are often happy to keep that player instead of shell out for a player in a position where you don't really get much value.
IMO, obviously biased, it's harder to be a good goalkeeper in England than it is in Spain. In Spain, goalkeepers are protected, so their strength, bravery and handling ability isn't really put to the test as much as it is in England. However, in Spain, other attributes, like distribution, sweeping up and punching, are more valued as teams rely on them more. IMO, purely because Reina's spent a long time being a success in England, he's already better than any 'keeper in Spain. Call that whatever you want, but I do believe if Casillas or Valdes were to move to a premier league side, they'd definitely be considered 'lesser players' than they are now. That's why you'll never get me to admit that Casillas and Valdes are great goalkeepers, I think they're good (although Iker really does get far too much hype), but I'd never swap them for Reina, just like Barca fans wouldn't swap Valdes, or Real fans swap Iker.
In terms of things like shot stopping, there really isn't too much between most top goalkeepers in the world. It's things like concentration, distribution, handling, bravery, organisation and speed at sweeping up that separate the best from the rest. IMO, Reina isn't weak at anything and is exceptional at most things. This is why players like Shay Given and Joe Hart are overrated IMO, they don't do everything well, Given especially has to be the most overrated goalkeeper ever. He is to pundits what Zeus was to the ancient Greeks. Madness.