Reports have emerged linking West Brom’s Ben Foster to a host of Premier League outfits, including Manchester City. The 35-year-old veteran keeper is being considered for the number 2 position although it is currently occupied by Claudio Bravo at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola specifically brought the Chilean from Barcelona in his first season in charge of City.
However, Bravo fell off the mark pretty early on in his Premier League career and just after a season was replaced by Ederson in the starting XI. He somehow could not replicate his form that he had once shown in the Barcelona ranks which prompted Guardiola to make the most expensive goalkeeper signing in the world.
The manager completely struck out Joe Hart’s name from his squad list as well, sending the Englishman out on loan to Torino. While Ederson is proving to be a brilliant signing for the double winning City squad, Guardiola will require an able number two to keep his winning run going.
Bravo, even at the age of 35, sometimes makes the silliest and unforced errors in between the posts. He has remarkable control of the ball for a goalkeeper but often tries to overdo it on the pitch.
Willy Caballero used to do a decent job but is now with Chelsea. Maybe Foster can be the one to answer Guardiola’s requirements for the upcoming season.
The Baggies keeper was trained in the Manchester United youth system and has tons of Premier League experience. Foster has spent the last 7 years protecting the West Brom goal line with 223 games and 57 clean sheets under his belt. He has 8 caps to his name for England and once served as a second option to Edwin van der Saar.
The 35-year-old still has a year left in his Albion contract but could be persuaded with the prospects of top-flight football, not to mention playing for a title-winning team. City could churn the very best out of his goalkeeping talents and will also be giving him an opportunity to end his career with possibly a medal or two.
However, he also might not be a player who fits all of Guardiola’s checklist. Foster is an advocate of no-nonsense defending and does not like to take risks with the ball under his feet.
The City boss implements a high possession tactic in most games which heavily relies on the passing and controlling ability of the keeper.
Let us hope this does not hinder Foster’s chances of earning a spot in the illustrious Manchester City ranks.
