Sweeper-keeper is fine but he still has to keep ball out of the net

FOOTBALL has completely changed from my day. Most managers now look at building the game from the back — through their defenders, midfielders, then onto the forwards. Maybe if you go down to some of the lower levels, goalkeepers won’t have to make so many passes, but, certainly at the higher levels, it has become more and more important. At Euro 2016, some of the lesser-known nations who were in a tournament for the first time tended to play long, but the more established nations played shorter. The key to all of this is trying to keep possession. If you look at the statistics, they’ll tell you clearly that the actions of a goalkeeper are now between 60 and 70 per cent with their feet — and occasionally up to 80 per cent. That translates to a keeper needing to be able to play short or long. They need to have a range of passing. I think most keepers realise that now. That’s just how the game is.

If it’s going to succeed, it isn’t just down to the goalkeeper. Sure, they have to have that range of passing, but the outfield players also have to create the opportunities to receive the passes either at the back or higher up the pitch. It’s a team effort. It’s not only about the goalkeeper working with his feet. There’s no point in him being good technically, but then none of his teammates showing to receive his passes. Manuel Neuer is the best at it. He’s entirely comfortable with coming out from his goal, taking the ball with his feet and instigating attacks. Everyone is on the lookout for those type of goalkeepers because they can allow you to build from the back so well. It’s no wonder they are so valued. You need to work at it. Just because it might not be your natural game isn’t to say you can’t become good at it. Gianluigi Buffon was a great natural shot-stopper when he first came on the scene, but he has developed his game through practice, so he’s now completely comfortable with the ball at his feet. If he can do it, there’s no reason why others cannot. That said, the most important part of the job is still keeping the ball out of the net.