In the dying hours of the summer transfer window, two newly promoted sides in the shapes of Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United chalked a deal, wherein the veteran goalkeeper of the Magpies, Tim Krul, has been shipped out on a season-long loan to the Amex Stadium. It was perceived that Chris Hughton wanted to introduce the element of intense competition for Mat Ryan for the role of the custodian in his side and thus, pencilled a deal accordingly.
Hughton carved an amazing season with his troops in the Championship last season and went on to clinch an automatic promotion spot to the Premier League. Over the course of the summer transfer window which concluded a couple of days back, the Seagulls have considerably strengthened their arsenal by making some shrewd additions like Ryan, Davy Propper, Jose Izquierdo and Markus Suttner to name a few. However, attaining the signature of Krul is indeed a galvanizing one.
Krul emerged through the youth ranks of Hvv RAS, ADO Den Haag and Newcastle United, and eventually, the Toon promoted him to their senior side. He has been present in the books of his current employers for more than a decade now and has piled truckloads of experience of English football under his belt after making 185 first-team appearances for the Geordies.
But with the availability of Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot, Krul stature has notably declined under Rafael Benitez’s regime and thus, the loan deal does make complete sense at the onset.
Nonetheless, the 29-year-old is an excellent signing for Albion, for he is an accomplished shot-stopper with experience with his national side, Netherlands, apart from his club level experience.
As a goalkeeper, he does the basics right like dealing with the crosses well, possesses exemplary positioning sense and is a very handy package in dealing with the set-pieces of the opposition. Besides, he is an astute distributor of the ball and marshals his side’s defensive line with firm resolve as well.
Although he has found very little opportunities of late, his move to Brighton & Hove Albion should help him in reshaping his career if he manages to impress. Benitez wanted to reduce his wage bills and frankly speaking, Krul was surplus to their requirements. However, Hughton, who has worked with the Dutchman in the past when he was in-charge of Newcastle United, is accustomed to what Krul has on offer. The former Norwich City manager knows the need of a backup goalkeeper, and with Krul in his side now, he can rest in ease after having signed him.
