BEST GOALKEEPERS FOR 2014

UK paper "Daily Mail" has published their list of "The Best Goalkeepers for 2014". Bayern Munich Neuer tops the list, but Spanish International & Manchester United goalie David De Gea flys the Spanish flag high in the Nº 2 spot. Iker Casillas is ranked 7th while the other Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is Nº 10. 

A sightly "Premier League biased" ranking, with Joe Hart of Man City perhaps over-ranked. 

Top 10 World Goalkeepers for 2014:

01.- Manuel Neuer (Bayern de Múnich)
02.- David de Gea (Manchester United)
03-. Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
04.- Joe Hart (Manchester City)
05.- Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
06.- Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)
07.- Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
08.- Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)
09.- Samir Handanovic (Inter de Milán)
10.- Keylor Navas (Real Madrid)

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EVERYONE WANTS THIBAUT COURTOIS

Belgium International & Atletico de Madrid 21 year old goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is that talk of the "Football Town". Currently & statistically the Best Goalkeeper in the Spanish Liga & after his recent performances, in European Football. An extraordinary Football talent at such a young age.

If you were in Madrid this morning & you happen to buy the Spanish Sports daily "AS" its front cover had the title that Real Madrid had the young goalie on their agenda for next season. Not a far-fetched idea as rumours are persistent that one of the two current Real Madrid goalkeepers, Iker Casillas & Diego Lopez, will be leaving next year. However, I don´t see Courtois moving from Atletico to play second fiddle. 

Other Football observers are saying, without the fanfare of a National daily front-cover, that Courtois has given his Ok to FC Barcelona next season. As everyone knows Victor Valdes is leaving at the end of the season & there is a "space" to fill. Again, hard to believe as FC Barcelona has already signed German Goalkeeper Ter Stegen & again I don't see Courtois throwing balls at Stegen in the warm-ups.

There is another important element that we need to remind, Courtois belongs to Chelsea FC & is on-loan to Atletico de Madrid. Current Chelsea FC Coach Mourinho will have a huge say on the future of Courtois. Everything indicates that Courtois will be the heir to the Petr Cech goalkeeping throne,  & is continuing with his development & Football growth at Atletico de Madrid while Cech plays out his last top level moments at Chelsea FC.

The player wishes to stay at Atletico de Madrid but the Club has not the "financial power" to sway the plans of Chelsea FC. A big offer that "no one can refuse" can perhaps change the minds of Mourinho or Club owner Abramovich, & there are only a hand full of Clubs with the money necessary, two of them Real Madrid & FC Barcelona. 

Said all this, if you have looked at the "AS" front cover this morning, have a look at the article & take it as it is, good reading with a heavy dose of speculation & marketing for issue selling. The idea is possible, everything in Football is possible, but too early to make such predictions. Lets not forget that there will be a World Cup this summer & this tournament has a way of changing established plans.

Stay tuned!

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VICTOR VALDES | CURRENT MOST EFFECTIVE GOALKEEPER IN SPANISH FOOTBALL

FC Barcelona not only loses for next season a home grown modern Club "legend" but possibly the Best inform goalkeeper currently in World Football. Victor Valdes has decided to leave FC Barcelona for new adventures as he currently moves towards a possible amazing 6th "Zamora Award" ( the least scored goalkeeper in Spanish Football).

Spanish Sports paper based in the city of Barcelona, "Sport" , has dedicated space today in their daily to Victor Valdes along with this interesting & insightful info-image. Victor Valdes is currently the most effective goalkeeper in Spanish Football with 40 saves & only 8 goals scored, that is a 83,3% effective rate. The only goalkeeper currently that can halt the 6th "Zamora" for Valdes is Atletico de Madrid goalie Courtois who has only been scored 9 goals, but has a lower effective rate due to least attempts at his goal by opponents.

The attempts figure in these two cases, highlight that the Atletico de Madrid is currently the most effective defence in Spanish Football thus shielding better Courtois, which indirectly highlights the merits of Victor Valdes which has been stopping most of the "leaks" from the Barça defence this season. 

No one really knows where Valdes will end up next season. Some speculate that French Club Monaco is the destination, other have said Bayern Munich with Guardiola or even the Premier League in England. Wherever Valdes goes & whichever Club they will be getting a "Top Class" goalie.

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REAL MADRID | WILL IKER CASILLAS REGAIN HIS GOALKEEPING PLACE ?

Diego Lopez is the current goalkeeper of Real Madrid CF. Born & raised in the "White House" the keeper had to find our pastures to gaze ( ...Villareal, Malaga FC ) in order to practice his profession. One of the reasons for his departure is due to the man that he is now replacing Iker Casillas,  Spanish National Team & Real Madrid Captain. 

The hand injury to the latter which required surgery has sidelined Casillas for up to 8 weeks. With this situation Real Madrid signed a another goalkeeper to fill the position knowing that important & vital Spanish Cup & Champions League matches were on the upcoming schedule.

The Club restored to Diego Lopez, also Spanish International & at Malaga FC where he was not getting the playing time one would expect for a player of his caliber. The Club needed a profile that would adapt quickly to the team & the Club as an institution, who better that Diego Lopez under the circumstances.

After the initial games, Lopez has shown again his abilities & skills being pivotal in the FC Barcelona games ( Spanish Cup & Liga ) & Manchester United clashes. In fact only 4 goals had gone through his "hands" in said encounters, but with more than half a dozen match winning saves. His Coach Jose Mourinho poured praises over his goalkeeper after the Manchester United Champions League match & this signals that Lopez has lived up to/ his expectations. 

This raises the question, a "serious" question. What happens when Iker Casillas recovers?

At this point there is no justifiable reason to replace Diego Lopez, that is, Iker Casillas would be the second goalkeeper. This is exactly what Coach José Mourinho wanted to create, serious competition for the goalkeeping spot as he felt that Iker Casillas was "unconsciously" resting on his "laurels" . This season Casillas has received more criticism than usual for lapses, fixed play mistakes & perhaps not following the Mourinho line of thought. The relationship between the Real Madrid Captain & José Mourinho is said to be strained-tense & that Casillas was a suspected  "supergrass" of the press on dressing-room matters. What now?

I personally think that if Diego Lopez continues this line & in growing form that it will be difficult to see Iker Casillas win back his place this season barring injury to Lopez. The last Tuesday night exhibition by Diego Lopez against Manchester United not only consolidated his position as Real Madrid goalkeeper it has also lifted him psychologically & given him a push in self-esteem perhaps lacking before due to his few minutes at Malaga FC. Diego Lopez has already won his place with his saves & efforts for the Spanish Cup Final & if Real Madrid continue onto the Final of the Champions League objectively & morally Lopez will have solid arguments.

This raises another issue, can Spanish Football National Team Coach Del Bosque justify calling up & placing as goalkeeper Iker Casillas if he isn´t playing? If this does occur we will have another debate, intense in itself & with some possible ramifications for Iker Casillas.

Interesting & changing times ahead  as always at Real Madrid & Spanish Football.

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ATLETICO DE MADRID | COURTOIS & PLAN B

Young Belgium goalkeeper Courtois has already won a place in the hearts of many Atletico de Madrid followers. The player is considered by everyone as a vital piece of the team & one cannot contemplate the future of Atletico without the goalkeeper. But the future of Courtois belongs to Chelsea FC the team that has his contract & has allowed to be on loan with the Spanish Football Club. 

Courtois has evolved at Atletico as one of the finest young talents of European Football & Chelsea FC naturally see & feel that it may be time to get back "home" to London to naturally take over from their current veteran goalie Petr Cech.

Atletico de Madrid are attempting to convince Chelsea FC in accepting a transfer & the player is expressing his true desires of staying at the Club & in the city of Madrid were he has settled in magnificently. But Chelsea does wish to sell & this forces Atletico to create a "Plan B".

AC Milan keeper Cristian Abbiati has been approached. He is an "old" Atletico as he spent season 2007-2008 at the Spanish Club on loan. The player is familiar with Atletico & the "transition" would be smooth. Another name is Osasuna keeper Andres Fernandez but this player is desired by many ( FC Barcelona for example ) & Osasuna will ask for big money in order to consider letting go their goalkeeper. 

The ideal would be to keep Courtois but the need to have in place an alternative plan is the more likely scenario & Atletico is working on it.

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FC BARCELONA EYES TOTTENHAM GOALIE LORIS ?

FC Barcelona keeps scouting the European Football market for a goalkeeper that will be the substitute for departing Victor Valdes. Weeks back the name Ter Segen of German Club Borussia Monchengladbach was cited as the chosen player & accompanied with a rumoured pre-agreement.

Seems things may be not so clear as Barcelona based Spanish Sports daily "Sport" writes today that Tottenham Hotspurs French International & Captain Hugo Loris may be in fact the real chosen player. The paper cites that the English Premier League Club is already moving to find a substitute & cite Spanish & Osasuna goalie Andres Fernandez as their candidate.

The Osasuna goalie has a 9M€ contract release clause but Tottenham believes that with negotiations they may be able to reduce that figure. Andres Fernandez has been linked to Real Madrid & even seriously considered as the substitute for Victor Valdes by Barça.

Still early days to categorically affirm the above news, but what can be said is that Hugo Loris joins Ter Segen as serious candidates for FC Barcelona. Stay tuned! Tweet

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FC BARCELONA | WHO WILL REPLACE VICTOR VALDES

It was mentioned here on Spanish Football Sports days back, FC BARCELONA Goalkeeper VICTOR VALDES will not renew with Barça. His contract ends in 2014 & he has officially given notice to his Club that he will look forward to new horizons.

Many Big Clubs are already thinking about Valdes & I am sure he will have offers to choose from in coming months. But what about FC Barcelona ? How do you fill the gap left wide open in the Barça goal ? Very difficult endeavour as the man has been with Barça since a child & has grow to become a Club "icon". 

Now the search is on for a new Goalkeeper that can fit into the Barça set up & maintain himself at the level of Valdes. Names have began to circulate, some are close because they´re obvious & others are just journalist speculations to fill the papers. There maybe truths & there will be lies, but lets run through the talked about possible candidates.

• Marc André Ter Stegen, from German Club Borussia Moenchengladbach, only  20 years old. It was written here that he is definitely on the Barcelona list
• Vicent Guite, Valencia CF , with 25 years of age.
• David De Gea, Manchester United, 22 year old Spanish International 
• Maarten Stekelenburg, AC Roma with 30 years of age
• Thibaut Courtois, Atletico de Madrid, 20 years old , on loan from Chelsea Fc
• Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich with 26 years of age.

If you ask me, Courtois or De Gea look interesting. The others are great back their Clubs may have a say & not wish to sell them.

Lots of rumours will be flowing in the coming months. Stay tuned!

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TOP IKER CASILLAS GOAL SAVES - VIDEO

Spanish Sports paper “Marca” has handed in the results of a 40.000 readers survey on the Best Goalkeeping saves by Spanish Football National Team Captain & Real Madrid CF player IKER CASILLAS.

Top votes – Nº1 - goes to the save vs Sevilla FC in La Liga stopping Perotti

Nº2 ,  the FIFA World Cup Final 2010 save to Robben ( Holland )

Have to say both are breathe taking & heart stoppers. Grand goalkeeper indeed.

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IKER CASILLAS | FRANCE FOOTBALL CALLS FOR "GOLDEN BALL AWARD"

The "inventors" ( back in 1956 ) of the "Golden Ball Award ", France Football, has come out publicly today to defend Spanish National Team Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS & let drop that perhaps it is time that the Spanish Captain receive the Award.

The accolades have been close to perfect for any Football professional: "...for  the breathe of his work & the length of permanence at at the Top, but for his calming presence, personality, influence & leadership...Casillas deserves the Golden Ball Award"

Casillas is 137 times Spanish International ( 100 are victories), is 2 time European Nations Champions & 1 X FIFA World Cup Champion. This & a host of European & Spanish competition titles. 

Iker Casillas

Personally I could not be more in agreement with France Football along with many other Sports commentators & professionals. The fact the Casillas is a "goalkeeper" perhaps takes the glitz out of the man as a candidate as compared to the forward profile whom give the Sport its life-blood: goals!

There is another Spanish "Golden Ball Award" option in the name of ANDRES INIESTA. The FC Barcelona player was named the MVP of the EURO 2012 competition & also deserves to be prized.

Either way still lots of months still ahead for the voting which now is hot with the recent Euro 2012 memories,  & may be "cold" by October 2012.

Stay tuned!
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IFFHS NAMES IKER CASILLAS BEST GOALKEEPER

The FIFA back "International Football Federation of History & Statistics" ( IFFHS ) has released its calculations & list for the "Best Goalkeeper in World Football". REAL MADRID CF & Spanish International IKER CASILLAS has been chosen & thus gains his 4th recognition from the IFHHS. On the list FC BARCELONA goalie VICTOR VALDES comes in 3rd placed.


Earlier in the week, the same Football Authority named another Spanish Football player, Xavi Hernandez, as "Best Midfield Creative Player" in World Football.

Here is the Top 10 list for 2011 according to the IFFHS
1. IKER CASILLAS (REAL MADRID) 248 pts
2. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Múnich) 130.
3. VÍCTOR VALDÉS (FC BARCELONA) 114.
4. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) 63.
5. Petr Cech (Chelsea) 41.
6. Fernando Néstor Muslera (Galatasaray) 34.
7. Charles J. John Hart (Manchester City) 26.
8. Julio César (Inter de Milán) 23.
9. Justo W. Villar (Estudiantes de La Plata)17.
10. Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) 16.

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FC BARCELONA VICTOR VALDES "ZAMORA" PRIZE 2010-2011 | BEST SPANISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE GOALKEEPER

While REAL MADRID forward Cristiano Ronaldo receives mass recognition for his amazing 40 goals in one season, lets not forget about the goalkeepers. FC BARCELONA keeper VICTOR VALDES wins  a 3rd straight "ZAMORA" Title as the least goaled (Best) keeper in the Spanish Football League

FC Barcelona goalie Victor Valdes

His season has been amazing as Valdes has played a vital part in his teams Spanish League Title & in getting Barça into next Saturdays Champions League Final against Manchester United. Below is the final table standings for the Spanish Liga ZAMORA prize as "Best Goalkeeper" season 2010-2011:


Name Coef. Goals Games
Valdés 0,50 16 32
Casillas  0,94        32 34
Aranzubia 1,12 35     31
Diego López 1,15 44 38
Ricardo 1,21       46 38

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SPANISH FOOTBALL | IKER CASILLAS NEXT "GOLDEN GLOVE" WINNER

Spanish Football International, Captain & REAL MADRID Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS will be the next “Golden Glove” Award winner – prize given to the “Best Goalkeeper in the World”,  coincing with the best performance in the years World Cup. Although the official presentation will be done on the 10th of January 2011 at Zurich when the “FIFA Golden Ball Award” will also be handed,  along with other prizes, the photo sessions were done earlier this month in Madrid. FIFA representatives, a well known sportswear rep & "4-4-2" English Football magazine had Casillas at the Valdebebas training grounds in a photo shot that gives away the “surprise”.

Iker Casillas

The particularity behind this Award is that it is handed every four years coinciding with the World Cup. Past winner have been Barthez, Kahn, Buffon & now Casillas. Tweet

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SEVILLA FC: GOALKEEPER ANDRES PALOP FORGETS HE CAN USE HIS HANDS?

Source: Sp Ftball Sprts Blog /
Has SEVILLA FC Goalkeeper ANDRES PALOP forgotten that goalies can use their hands?



Of course he remembers, its great improvisation & excellent reflexes. Tweet

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FC BARCELONA: VICTOR VALDES KNOCKING ON THE SPANISH NATIONAL TEAM DOOR (BONUS: FC BARCELONA TEAM PHOTO 2010)

Source: Sp Football Sports Blog /
FC BARCELONA goalkeepr VICTOR VALDES is at his best level – only 19 times this season has the ball found a way past him to go into the net & 17 times ( 27 if we count all other competitions outside the Spanish League) he has finished a game without a single goal against his name. This “sweet” period of form which has been maintained throughout the last couple of seasons, may soon find its “sweet” reward.



Spanish National Team Selector & Coach, Vicente del Bosque, was a spectator in Saturdays big Real Madrid – FC Barcelona clash & saw first hand the fine goalkeeping moment of Valdes. The Barça keeper was immense on Saturday, stopping shots for Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo & an almost certain goal from Van de Vaart in the 2ºhalf that certified his great performance.

The third goalkeeping position in the Spanish National Team is currently up for grabs as the habitual “holders”, Diego Lopez from Villareal &/or Andres Palop of Sevilla Fc, have been inconsistent ( although brilliant at times) & thus cannot counter the current “arguments” & statistics that Victor Valdes puts on the table.

The FC Barcelona keeper may well find that if he maintains his current form, the Spanish National Team Selector could call him up for South African World Cup duty for the third goalkeeper spot along with the undisputed Nº1 National side goalie, Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) & Nº2 Pepe Reina (Liverpool FC).

Stay tuned, the final list of Spanish players to represent Spain in the upcoming World Cup is due to be announced in around 7-8 weeks time, but before this there is a International friendly match that could give us a hint of intentions.

By the way here is the FC BARCELONA TEAM PHOTO 2010 against Real Madrid last Saturday, for the SFS Blog readers & Barça fans. Tweet

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REAL MADRID FC BARCELONA THINKING ABOUT DIEGO ALVES

Source: Sp Football Sports Blog /
Brazilian goalkeeper DIEGO ALVES is a class act, no one doubt it, he has proven this on numerous occasions with his team ALMERIA. It was a matter of time that the BIG Clubs take note & begin their moves on the player (again) & attempt to lure him over to their team.

The list of hopeful candidates is long & they include Villareal, Sevilla FC, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Fiorentina & Arsenal, but there are two that will most likely be fighting with each other to get Alves to their side. REAL MADRID & FC BARCELONA are both heading onto a crash course situation with this player. Real Madrid needs a substitute for second goalkeeper Dudek who ends contract & Barça wish a class substitute for Valdes in case of suspension &/or injury. Diego Alves will not be cheap, his Club desires to sell & gain some much needed cash, but they refer to his contract release clause which is 15M€.

The other unknown is what Diego Alves thinks concerning his future. It is clear that if he decides to fly into the bright lights of Real Madrid or FC Barcelona he would be THE second goalkeeper. Does Alves wish this for his future? A tough decision that may sway the player to go to a Club were he is the main protagonist defending his team goal.

Stay tuned for developments. Tweet

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ATLETICO DE MADRID GOALIE DE GEA WISHED BY MANCHESTER UNITED TO SUBSTITUTE DER SAR

English Football giant MANCHESTER UNITED is thinking & already searching for a goalkeeper to substitute their veteran player VAN DER SAR. The Dutch International is 40 years old & plans to stay one more season at United before moving on elsewhere or may consider retiring.
Manchester United has someone already in mind, ATLETICO DE MADRID 19 year old goalkeeper DAVID DE GEA, also the Spanish International keeper for the U/19 squad. The Spanish youngster has exploded this season with Atletico after some outstanding performances in the Spanish Cup & the Europa League that has earned him the starting keeper position at Atletico for the League as well. De Gea not only has talent but shows weekly an unusual & rare maturity for a player of his age that signals that he is heading for the Top.

The English Champions have travelled already to Madrid to discuss the possible signing & has received a clear NO from the Spanish Club who at this moment has no intention of selling its young promise. The intention of Manchester United was to get De Gea over for the 2011-2012 season allowing the Atletico player another season more to mature in the Spanish League. Seems this plan has been foiled for the moment, but as with everything in Football what is white today can be black tomorrow. Tweet

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ATLETICO DE MADRID: DAVID DE GEA

Ladies & Gentlemen here for your Football pleasure is DAVID DE GEA.

The 19 year old is the “2º” ATLETICO DE MADRID goalkeeper & is
coming into age putting pressure on the current team goalie, the
other young 21 year old, Sergio Asenjo. De Gea has been at the Club
since he was 13 & has already a U/17 Spanish Team International
title as European Champion. His outstanding performances against
Recreativo & Celta in the last Spanish Cup ties have catapulted
the youngster into the spotlight.

The people in the know assure that De Gea is destined for great
things & is considered the young pearl of Spanish Football
goalkeeping. We will be keeping an eye on his evolution & keep
hoping he stops many more opponents’ attempts to score goals against
Atletico. Tweet

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SPANISH FOOTBALL: CONGRATULATIONS IKER CASILLAS - 100 INTERNATIONAL CAPS

The Real Madrid & Spanish International Goalkeeper IKER CASILLAS
reaches a milestone tomorrow when he lines-up to play the Friendly
International against Argentina: his 100th International Cap.

(Iker Casillas debut year 2000)

The 28 year old Spanish National Team Captain will only have ahead
of him Real Madrid team-mate Raúl (102 Caps) & ex-Goalkeeper
Andoni Zubizarreta (126 Caps), both of which with certainty Casillas
we soon pass.

Iker Casillas debuted with 19 years of age when the then National
Team Coach José Antonio Camacho decided to put him onto the field
the 3rd of June of 2000 in a Friendly game against Sweden at
Gutenberg. Since then he hasn’t looked back with the biggest highlight
to date in his International career being lifting up the European Nations
Cup for Spain in 2008.

From SFS, congratulations Iker Casillas, I wish you many, many more
triumphs & Spanish Team titles.

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ROBERT ENKE - RIP "FOOTBALL BROTHER"

SFS Blog would like to join FC BARCELONA ( video - yesterday
Spanish Cup game) & express its condolences to fans, Club & the
family of German International goalkeeper ROBERT ENKE. The
Football player was an ex-player of Barça & Tenerife, & SFS is
deeply sadden by the news of the tragic death of a “Football
Brother” at the age of 32. RIP

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INCREDIBLE IKER CASILLAS SAVE (VIDEO)

Everyone locally is raving with this Iker Casillas save from a Perotti
in last nights Sevilla FC vs Real Madrid Liga clash were the former
won 2-1.

Check the video out:



Some consider Casillas currently the World´s Best Goalkeeper, do
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