The past few weeks has been a very torrid time for the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. The £71.6 Million Man Kepa Arrizabalaga has conceded 13 goals in his last five games for Chelsea FC and although the narrative would stipulate that the defensive line has provided no form of protection for the goalkeeper, it can be argued that Kepa hasn’t been up to the expected form of a goalkeeper priced as such, a Golden Nugget. As noted, many would cite the defensive frailties of Chelsea FC as the main problem with the mainstream media platforms upholding the narrative as unequivocal facts. As an ex-goalkeeper and currently a goalkeeping coach, I tend to delve deeper into the crux of the matter taking into account all factors, be it subjective or objective.

The fact of the matter is that Chelsea FC paid that enormous fee for a goalkeeper that hasn’t got the resumè to match such a price tag. Having said that, the deal between Chelsea FC and Athletic Bilbao FC which looks on the surface a subjective decision rather than an objective decision may have been the catalyst as I explain in depth on these polarised factors.

The Objective Decision

The objectives of paying a high price tag on a goalkeeper would logically fall under these categories of traits –

• An exceptional shotstopping abilities
• Great and commanding communication skills
• Exceptional technical distribution traits
• Great game reader and exceptional anticipation traits (intuition)
• Huge character and influencer
• Potential leader
• Exceptional physical and mental strength

These traits are the criteria the goalkeeper will be assessed on a fundamental level by his/her peers, the fans, pundits and commentators alike but it’s not always the case as mainstream media platforms can engineer what the narrative would be to become a point of focus. Personally, before I spend £71.6 Million on a goalkeeper I must be convinced by all means that he/she has matched the criteria above. Ex-goalkeeping greats like Oliver Kahn, Peter Schmeichel, Bernard Lama, David Seaman, Peter Shilton and many more I haven’t mentioned will easily fit into these criteria without the extra ordinary high price tag. Take David De Gea for example – Manchester United bought him for a then British record from Athletico Madrid for 18.9 Million Pounds in 2011 and he wasn’t the accomplished goalkeeper he is today. Back then it could be argued he was a bit pricey because a lot of work has to be done by the Manchester United’s goalkeeping coaching staff to elevate his game at par with the English Premier League. Are we going to witness the same process with Chelsea FC? It looks to be heading that direction as far as Kepas goalkeeping skills is concerned here, which I will elaborate later…

The Subjective Decision

In today’s modern game where money has been identified with an obscene amount of power and influence, transfer fees of professional footballers and in particular goalkeepers are soley based on subjective reasoning and decision making. Example of these are –

• The age of the player/goalkeeper being vital for long term investment
• The marketability of the goalkeeper in the game and the industry
• Mainstream media’s hyped up appraisals and promotional thesis
• Vested undisclosed interests in transfer deals between clubs on the subject goalkeeper
• A ” code of conduct ” and/or “affidavit” declaration between parties involved due to the enormity of the money involved

This is the more route of approach to football’s mega transfer deals, with the objective reasoning and decision making being less of a major preference. Unfortunately this is an illusion being sold to the football fans, especially of the new generation because they are made to believe that these high price tags are a true and transparent reflection of the value of the goalkeeper. This could not be further from the truth as now the fans themselves are beginning to question the the high price tags after some form of average and sometimes below average of goalkeeping skills on display. For instance, Alisson Becker of Liverpool FC came under scrutiny on social media platforms regarding his goalkeeping skills in some recent games and it’s been claimed that he has the lowest save-per-shot/goal ratio compared to other goalkeepers in the top flight, but he is valued at 56 Million Pounds. The same is now labelled at the most expensive goalkeeper to date, after conceding 13 goals in his last five games! As I mentioned earlier, pundits and commentators will point the blame on the disorganised Chelsea FCs defensive line but completely missing the point that Kepa too is a part, if not pivotal in his role as a leader. It’s a big job for a young man but I do recall a goalkeeper by the name Gianluigi Buffon who was well known for his leadership and heroics and as an established winner as a young protégé, prompting Juventus FC to buy him for a record fee of 32 Million Pounds in 2001, and the rest is history.

Although I’ve seen clips of his playing career at Athletico Madrid, which portrayed him as very competent, my main concern about Kepas goalkeeping is his A-frame set-positioning.

Sometimes this can be pronounced so greatly and with his swinging arms, it becomes impractical. This is very much evident in the games he’s played and has had just above a 50% success rate with this style, of which is not optimal. One can argue that considering this is his first season for Chelsea FC, he should be more time to settle down in the club, which I definitely support. It’s the price tag of being the world’s most expensive goalkeeper that the majority will make judgements and opinions on, and he has to cultivate a strong character to embrace and move on from them be it good or bad.

Above all, Kepa Arrizabalaga is a very decent goalkeeper who will improve with time and experience, and as for the price tag?.. as an ex goalkeeper and coach, my preference of determining a goalkeepers ability is on the objective reasoning rather than the subjective reasoning. Money is just a tool to serve as a medium of complex dealings and transactions, and should not be mistaken solely for true value of the player/goalkeeper.

You Are The Ultimate Keeper Of Your Destiny.. ULTIMATE KEEPER