Manuel Neuer

[Arruda]

According to one ITK I know (from a forum, not personally), Navas has a deal with Bayern already.

 

[Ruht]

According to one ITK I know (from a forum, not personally), Navas has a deal with Bayern already.

Really? I read on one Bayern forum that according to a few newspapers in Costa Rica we've never approached him.

I'd be okay with him coming, Starke simply scares me every time he plays. If Navas is content with being second choice than he is more than welcome. Wouldn't mind having a decent back-up to Neuer.

 

[Arruda]

Really? I read on one Bayern forum that according to a few newspapers in Costa Rica we've never approached him.

I'd be okay with him coming, Starke simply scares me every time he plays. If Navas is content with being second choice than he is more than welcome. Wouldn't mind having a decent back-up to Neuer.

I won't put my hands on fire for that information, merely testing out its reliability in a public setting. He's usually bang on, but even so doesn't get everything right. Lots of misinformation and last minute change-of-plans in football deals. I'd be funny to know this before the real papers, and thought it would be funnier to post it here now than come out later and say "I already knew".

 

[Ruht]

Wasn't questioning you mate, apologies if it came off that way.

Lots can go wrong in all those deals. Again, I'd be glad to have a decent back up for Neuer so I'm hoping it materialises.

 

[Traub]

I think he has to be the best keeper in the world right now. Was immense all tournament and really made a difference.

 

[FlawlessThaw]

Yeah he is definitely the best keeper in the world right now. Probably still makes a few mistakes to be considered an all time great but given he is still under 30 I suspect that will get ironed out and he'll rank above any other German keeper (that I've seen anyway).

 

[Kazi]

Neuer will go down as the best ever.

Schmikes putting Neuer in his top 5 of all time back in 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20495621

 

[anchan1989]

Who had done more with 28? And he turned 28 a few months ago.
Kahn, Buffon, Iker.
He is on their level now. Amazing. And how long can he play? 12 years?
Agree with Kazi. Barring injury he has the mind and talent to become the best ever.

 

[Ruht]

He has been an absolute rock this WC. Might make a few mistakes here and there, but no one is safe from that. He has to be considered as one of, if not the best goalkeepers of all time now. His sheer presence inside the box is just outstanding.

I've been a big admirer or Kahn, Schmeihel, Iker and Buffon but for me Neuer has been better. He still has a lot of time ahead of him to prove everyone he is.

 

[Grinner]

He's got to be one of the best keepers on the ball that I've ever seen.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

At the absolute top of his game right now. I was too young to watch and appreciate Schemichel but I think this is how it must have felt.

 

[kclord]

I remember watching the first leg of the semifinal when he was still at Schalke, and it was so frustrating to see him keep us at bay for so long. Could easily play in three more World Cups if he stays healthy. He will scuff clearances and have crazy moments now and then (like any keeper will), but he has such command of his box in both the air and on the ground, and even halfway towards the center circle as well! Must be supremely satisfying as a central defender to have him backing you up. As a former goalkeeper myself, it's wonderful to watch.

 

[Plugsy]

Crazy that no one rates Van der Sar, thought he was a beast in his late years, also with that record. Neuer is by far the best GK, crazy people rate Courtois higher.

I think VDS was too passive a personality to be rated with 'best keepers of all time'. Perhaps unfairly. He didn't really impose himself on games. Still a top-quality goalkeeper but I think you need to be a little bit daring and eccentric to be considered up there with the all-time best. It's like if you look at RvN, he could score goals for fun but few would ever consider him near the top of any 'best strikers of all time' list. Not because he wasn't probably as or more prolific than any of those who'll make the list but because he didn't have that something speicial about his game.

VDS falls into a similar category in that he probably was a top, even world class keeper but there was never that 'x-factor' you got with Schmeichel or get now with Neuer.

 

[Cina]

VdS was easily one of the best Euopean keepers ever. How's it even a debate?

 

[The Red Thinker]

He's got to be one of the best keepers on the ball that I've ever seen.

On the ball? Really? His best attributes are his phenomenal athleticism, this new sweeper-keeper concept that he's mastered and his commanding presence in the box.

Having watched him a lot for Bayern over the last few years, he's a bit shaky when it comes to being 'on the ball'. Sure he can rush out and tackle, but as a passer, he's phenomenal at times but far too inconsistent. He's good at starting moves when he's throwing it out, but his kicking is inconsistent. He's been known to kick it out of play a fair few times over the years. But, he's the most intimidating keeper inside the box since Oliver Kahn, I think.

VDS was a better keeper on the ball. Casillas was (this WC has made him look bad, but he's been tremendous in the past) great on the ball. Victor Valdes, though unsteady at times, was phenomenal on the ball. Manuel Neuer may get there. Just not yet.

 

[ZDwyr]

His presence and size give him a massive advantage over someone like De Gea. Was really impressed with him this World Cup though, brilliant 'keeper.

 

[TheShedEnd]

Crazy that no one rates Van der Sar, thought he was a beast in his late years, also with that record. Neuer is by far the best GK, crazy people rate Courtois higher.

How exactly? Courtois has been the best keeper in Spain for the last two years, pivital in Atletico's extraordinary achievements last season. There's not much between them whatsoever.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Has anyone been discussing the Higuain collision? Inside the box I think it was just about acceptable but a f*cking risky challenge to make that close to the edge of the box. I watched it in a pub and couldn't hear any discussion or see any angle which was clear about where exactly the ball was when he played it. Looked bloody close to being outside the box. Absolutely no need to make the challenge either. That's Neuer's achilles challenge for me. Those rushes of blood to the head he gets.

 

[anchan1989]

Courtois is crazy good, but Man Utd is on another level.
Perhaps already the best keeper ever in terms of "on the ball" skills.

 

[Carl]

Has anyone been discussing the Higuain collision? Inside the box I think it was just about acceptable but a f*cking risky challenge to make that close to the edge of the box. I watched it in a pub and couldn't hear any discussion or see any angle which was clear about where exactly the ball was when he played it. Looked bloody close to being outside the box. Absolutely no need to make the challenge either. That's Neuer's achilles challenge for me. Those rushes of blood to the head he gets.

Was inside the box. When Neuer comes down his foot lands just outside meaning the collision was surely on the line at least. Looked inside to me. Keeper's rarely get penalised for those. though so even though when I saw it I was like "how is that a free kick to Germany" I was also thinking there's no way it would ever be a penalty.

 

[anchan1989]

Was inside the box. When Neuer comes down his foot lands just outside meaning the collision was surely on the line at least. Looked inside to me. Keeper's rarely get penalised for those. though so even though when I saw it I was like "how is that a free kick to Germany" I was also thinking there's no way it would ever be a penalty.

Agree. He got the ball first. No foul there. But neither a freekick for us. ;D

 

[Carl]

How exactly? Courtois has been the best keeper in Spain for the last two years, pivital in Atletico's extraordinary achievements last season. There's not much between them whatsoever.

I don't think it's close personally. Neuer is a couple levels above anyone. Even the sheer size of him works in his favour and is surely in the minds of strikers when they go through. And that throw... what a thing that is.

 

[Carl]

Agree. He got the ball first. No foul there. But neither a freekick for us. ;D

Oh it was a foul all day long. Ball first or not you can't go kneeing people in the head. If an outfield player did that then there a wouldn't be a second's hesitation from the referee. Keepers get away with those though.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Was inside the box. When Neuer comes down his foot lands just outside meaning the collision was surely on the line at least. Looked inside to me. Keeper's rarely get penalised for those. though so even though when I saw it I was like "how is that a free kick to Germany" I was also thinking there's no way it would ever be a penalty.

The collision might have been on the line but his fist was at least a metre closer to the touchline than his legs when he played the ball.

 

[Carl]

The collision might have been on the line but his fist was at least a metre closer to the touchline than his legs when he played the ball.

Nah I think the ball was directly above Higuain who was in the box.

It is difficult though, they kind of just skimmed over it.

 

[Amar__]

Courtois is crazy good, but Man Utd is on another level.
Perhaps already the best keeper ever in terms of "on the ball" skills.

I can't believe someone can say that considering just year or two ago you had Valdes on top form who was much better passer, more consistent with his kicking and distribution in general.

 

[Sammyjunn]

How exactly? Courtois has been the best keeper in Spain for the last two years, pivital in Atletico's extraordinary achievements last season. There's not much between them whatsoever.

Keylor Navas was voted the best this year,,,,, and Neuer is simply a class apart, no doubt. He doesnt have weak points.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Nah I think the ball was directly above Higuain who was in the box.

It is difficult though, they kind of just skimmed over it.

Exactly! Like I said, I was in a pub so might have missed some analysis but it didn't seem to get the replays it deserved.

Fecking stupid challenge regardless. Absolutely no need to go charging out like that.


EDIT; thikn you're right though. Just inside the box.

 

[Yorkeontop]

He is clearly top tier. Remember that Schalke semi in 2011? I'm not going to split hairs about who's the best. He is a maverick and fun to watch.

 

[Carl]

I can't believe someone can say that considering just year or two ago you had Valdes on top form who was much better passer, more consistent with his kicking and distribution in general.

1 word. Chilavert.

 

[Turnip]

Pretty sure it was in the box - just. When he actually contacts the ball it's almost directly over Higuain's right shoulder, and he was like a foot inside the box, so in that respect right decision. But how on earth that was a German free kick I'll never understand. Its nice to see some crazy risky goalkeeping though, and he seems to do it all the time. He's half the reason Argentina didn't get a shot on target, because every time they got anywhere near he took them out. Got to think that some time his seemingly crazy challenges are gonna backfire, but they didn't seem to in this tournament. Think he's an amazing keeper because of his rushing ability if nothing else.

 

[BigDunc9]

Neuer will go down as the best ever.

Schmikes putting Neuer in his top 5 of all time back in 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20495621

Even Big Pete knows Big Nev was one of the greatest of all time.

 

[Ling]

Perhaps already the best keeper ever in terms of "on the ball" skills.

That goes to Petar Borota.

 

[Balu]

I can't believe someone can say that considering just year or two ago you had Valdes on top form who was much better passer, more consistent with his kicking and distribution in general.

He really wasn't and I'm pretty sure that stats would back that up, but I'm too lazy to look for them right now. Neuer is also even more involved in the build-up at Bayern than Valdes was at Barca.

 

[surf]

He is easily the best goalie at the moment. He has the presence and the command to give his defence huge confidence in him. And he forestalls danger by successfully doing things that no other keeper would dare to try. I like how he reads the game in front of him and sets the team on the counter attack as soon as he collects the ball instead of holding on to it for 10 or 15 seconds like most keepers.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Player of the World Cup, for me.

 

[Bwuk]

Best keeper in the world.

 

[United22]

Best keeper in the world clearly but one of these days he is going to feck up with his sweeper-keeper actions

 

[Sphaero]

Best keeper in the world clearly but one of these days he is going to feck up with his sweeper-keeper actions

Yeah and then he still will have saved dozens of situations before with this tactic. I would take one or two situations per season where he looks like a clown if it saves his team 10+ conceded goals.

Nobody says that it is without risk playing like Neuer, but a GK with the pace and anticipation like him can reduce the risk to a tiny amount compared to facing 1v1 situations way more often, where you depend on the inability to score by the offensive player.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Yeah and then he still will have saved dozens of situations before with this tactic. I would take one or two situations per season where he looks like a clown if it saves his team 10+ conceded goals.

Nobody says that it is without risk playing like Neuer, but a GK with the pace and anticipation like him can reduce the risk to a tiny amount compared to facing 1v1 situations way more often, where you depend on the inability to score by the offensive player.

Yeah spot on. Valdés was viewed in the same way, he played as a (more conservative) sweeper keeper at Barcelona who seemed to be criticised for the 1 or 2 inevitable mistakes he made playing such a risky game rather than his excellent performances over the entire season. I think maybe some keepers are criticised too harshly who see one or two mistakes on you tube but don't want them on a regular enough occasion to know they're very rare errors.