Buzz over Baz carries on growing
GAVIN Bazunu has again given notice that he has his sights on the No.1 spot at City with a starring role in the international break.
The 19-year-old keeper produced one of the highlights of the World Cup qualifiers at the weekend with a stunning save to help the Republic of Ireland beat Luxembourg 3-0.
Bazunu made a name for himself in September by saving a penalty from Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. His performances this season, for Ireland and on loan at Portsmouth, have established him as his country’s firstchoice ahead of West Ham reserve Darren Randolph and Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher.
He has already won 10 caps, and underlined his agility with the breathtaking stop in Luxembourg, throwing himself full-length to fingertip Olivier Thill’s deflected shot round the post.
At club level, Bazunu is still behind Ederson, Zack Steffen and 36-year-old Scott Carson, and faces competition to be the fourth choice from on-loan Aro Muric, Mikki Van Sas, Cieran Slicker and James Trafford.
After nailing down his place for Pompey in League One, and impressing Blues EDS coach Brian Barry-Murphy when they were together at Rochdale last season, Bazunu is in pole position to replace Carson as No.3 keeper next summer, if the veteran does not get a contract renewal.
But the former Shamrock Rovers junior is refusing to let the accolades go to his head.
“I had that one save to make,” he said. “That’s my job in the team to make those crucial saves.
“I saw the hit from outside the box; it took a nick, but luckily it took a nick quite early so I was able to react to it and make a save.”