da betway： England seem to be okay at producing goalkeepers. Time and time again the national side are let down by their wingers, strikers and defenders with the hopes of a nation repeatedly being struck down.
da betcris： But a berth where the Three Lions do perform well in is the goalkeeping department. Say what you like but post 2005, England have turned out some pretty good players between the sticks.
And with Joe Hart hitting his peak, the time has come for the next youngster to step up and become understudy to the number one.
Who is that player I hear you ask? Jack Butland.
The former Birmingham City man follows a pattern of goalkeepers that have spent time at St Andrews, learning, nurturing and developing their game until they are ready for the big-time. Ben Foster and Joe Hart both spent time at the Blues, and it seems like they’re a club with a knack for producing good goalkeepers.
And after a brief loan spell at Barnsley, Butland grabbed the chance to cemente his place in the Stoke City starting eleven, and he hasn’t moved since.
Yes there was a slice of luck- had Asmir Begovic not left to benchwarm at Chelsea, Butland would still arguably be second choice at the Britannia but he won’t be thinking about maybe’s at this time in his career.
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The fact of the matter is this. Butland was given the chance to become Stoke’s number one and proved to Mark Hughes that he was ready to step up and he did exactly that.
Fantastic performances against Norwich City, Chelsea and Newcastle made England’s footballing community stand-still and think in unison: this man is the future for our national team.
It’s about time Joe Hart had a realistic rival in the pursuit of the England jersey. Before Butland was given his big chance, no-one was even considered to be at Hart’s level and the competition will do nothing but enhance the Manchester City mans’ performances before the Euros.
At 22, he hasn’t even reached his peak yet. This is his breakthrough season but it looks as comfortable as Brad Friedel- a man who served between the sticks for almost twenty years.
There are reports that Manchester United are keeping an eye on the former Birmingham man, and for good reason too. Whilst David De Gea has committed himself to the club for years to come, contracts mean nothing these days and most top-teams would pay over the odds to secure the services of the Spaniard.
With Butland set to be the next big English talent, United would be foolish to not consider a move for the Stoke man. With all due respect to the Potters, whilst this season is an excellent opportunity for young Butland, the chance to progress to a higher level will come and Stoke won’t hold on to the 22-year-old forever.
That will be the next task for the rookie keeper. A place on the plane to Euro 2016 is virtually confirmed. If Butland can keep himself fit, a big-money-move won’t be far away and with that comes the chance to be England’s next goalkeeping great.
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