The question has never been more urgent than it is now. Now that Thibaut Courtois has been sidelined for an entire season at worst, the Red Devils have to look for a new first-choice goalkeeper. Who is eligible? We’re looking at five options.
– Martin Vandevoordt (21 years old, 0 caps)
Does Domenico Tedesco also dare to gamble on the youth?
With Martin Vandevoordt, it is only natural for Belgium to have a talented goalkeeper in the waiting room for promises. Genk’s goalkeeper was one of the few bright spots in the last European Championship – the national coach was in the stands.
Simon Mignolet (35 years old, 35 caps)
What is going on in Simon Mignolet’s head?
The Club Brugge goalkeeper decided in March to retire as the Red Devil. He added, “If there are a lot of injuries or problems, they can always call me. Then we can look at the situation.”
Only the vacancy for the first goalkeeper is now open. Couldn’t his starting place in a European tournament have tempted Mignolet to come out of his ‘retirement’? He had to watch from the bench in the previous five Grand Slams.
Mignolet will be a choice of experience, not necessarily a choice of the future.
Matz Sales (31 years old, 3 caps)
Substitute Courtois against Estonia, but will that also be the case in the coming months?
Matz Sales will soon start his sixth season in Strasbourg and is considered one of the most reliable goalkeepers in France. The former KAA Gent and Anderlecht goalkeeper has been named the competition’s goalkeeper of the year in 2022.
Seals actually scored points against Estonia by keeping a clean sheet on the spot.
Quinn Castiles (31 years old, 5 caps)
In youth they were always mentioned at the same time: Thibaut Courtois and Quinn Castiles.
In the end, the latter made a career a little slower than his counterpart, but eventually reached the absolute top. Kasteels is now a Bundesliga monument, with 258 appearances and not even a single Belgian doing better.
He will soon begin his ninth season in Wolfsburg and currently has five matches to play.
Tomas Kaminski (30 years old, 0 caps)
The Premier League goalkeeper is not to be overlooked.
Tomas Kaminski has traded in his stellar performances at Blackburn last week with a move to promoted Luton Town. There he usually becomes a title holder and has to do a lot of work – a perfect opportunity to distinguish himself.
Kaminski was part of the Red Devils’ selection for the first time in 2013, but he hasn’t played a single minute yet.
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