Goalkeepers on the Move

Take a look at the Coerver Goalkeeping Essentials DVD.

Let’s take a look at the top goalkeepers in the world and who will lead their teams to victory in the coming season. After the World Cup in Brazil this summer, some keepers made a name for themselves and signed with new clubs, while others had tournaments they’d like to forget.

NEW: Watch as the Reds’ goalies are tested, first by their coaches and then by their teammates, with Alisson Becker, Adrian and more all making some top class saves at Liverpool’s training camp in Austria.

In Spain, there’s Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas, who certainly had a World Cup that he’d quickly like to forget, embarrassed time and again against the Netherlands as Robin van Persie headed the ball up and over him and Arjen Robben dribbled around him like he wasn’t there. Right now, it looks like Real Madrid will keep Casillas as the starting keeper, but they’ve signed Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas as his back up. Navas of course was the star for Costa Rica in the World Cup, keeping them in the match versus the Netherlands.

Over in England, there’s Everton’s Tim Howard who was perhaps the best goalkeeper at the World Cup, saving the United States numerous times throughout all the matches with his Nike goalkeeper gloves. Howard had a World Cup record-tying game when he made 16 saves in one game versus Belgium.

For Chelsea’s Petr Cech, whose country didn’t play in the World Cup, he might just lose his spot to Marc Courtois, who while on loan to Atletico Madrid, helped them beat Chelsea and nearly beat Real Madrid in the Champions League final. Courtois was also one of the best keepers at the World Cup for Belgium.

David de Gea is the main man again at Manchester United, growing in confidence he might just take the Spanish goalkeeping spot from Casillas. De Gea has gained confidence the past few years coming out on crosses and directing his defense, witch will be even more important this year as Manchester United switch to a back three. And like Tim Howard, he favors the Nike goalkeeping gloves.

Manchester City have England’s Joe Hart as their usual starting keeper, but they’ve also signed Willy Caballero from Malaga to back him up. Who did Malaga sign to replace Caballero, none other than Guillermo Ochoa, who was exceptional for Mexico in the World Cup, stopping shot after shot versus Brazil.

Interestingly, Queen Park Rangers brought back Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, ending his loan spell to MLS’s Toronto FC. Cesar redeemed himself for Brazil in the World Cup penalty shootout versus Chile, but also was in goal against German where they lost 7-1.

In Italy, there’s the legend Gianluigi “Gigi” Buffon, who will once again be the starting goalkeeper for Juventus. However, his place as the starting keeper for Italy might be taken over by Salvatore Sirigu, who signed for Paris Saint German last year. Sirigu played wonderfully for Italy in their opening match versus England when Buffon suddenly came down with a back injury. What goalkeeper gloves does Buffon wear? Puma, as in Puma Powercat goalkeeping gloves.

In Germany, there’s Manuel Neuer, who led his team to a World Cup title, and played almost like a sweeper at times as he cleaned up any through balls that his defenders missed. Neuer won the World Cup Golden Glove award for best keeper – what goalkeeping gloves does Neuer wear? Adidas of course, they’re German after all. Neuer will surely be the top keeper for his club Bayern Munich, but just in case they’ve signed Pepe Reina from Liverpool just in case he gets hurt.

Yeah, that’s a lot of goalkeepers on the move, it will interesting to see what keepers hold on to their starting positions with their country’s and and club teams and who loses their spot to a keeper who made a name for themselves at the World Cup this past summer. These days, for world class goalkeepers, it’s not just about saving shots, stopping one on ones, and coming out for crosses, but being able to distribute the ball with your feet, too.

Take a look at the Coerver Goalkeeping Essentials DVD.