A roundup of the top news stories from the goalkeeping world between the 25th February to the 3rd March
Freiburg goalkeeper makes Bundesliga history
German club Freiburg’s goalkeeper, Noah Atubolu, made goalkeeping history in the Bundesliga last week as he was the first goalkeeper to save four penalties in a row in the competition. Within those four saves he has stopped penalties against high profile players like Kevin Volland and wonderkid Florian Wirtz. His side faced Werder Bremen at the weekend and in the 39th minute Andre Silva stepped up to take a penalty which Atubolu denied once again, cementing his name into the history books.
Millwall goalkeeper suffers red card after horror tackle
Yesterday, Millwall travelled to Selhurst Park for their Fifth Round FA Cup tie, trying to put an end to Palace’s red-hot form. Liam Roberts started the day in goal for the Championship side and it didn’t take long before his day ended either. In the eighth minute, a ball was played over the top to in-form Jean-Phillipe Mateta which Roberts flew out of his goal to aim to sweep up. His high boot collided with Mateta's head, and sent the Frenchman to the floor.
Mateta received medical attention and after a lengthy stoppage, he was stretched off and Roberts was sent off. As a result of the stoppage there was over 15 minutes of added time.
Raya takes home trophy at the London Football Awards
Arsenal's David Raya won the Goalkeeper of the Year award at the London Football Awards this week. It was the first time he won the trophy after Tottenham Hotspur's Vicario won it last year. The Spaniard was met with mountains of praise online after the ceremony with most believing he was the deserved winner. Within the last year, Raya has made crucial, almost unstoppable saves against the likes of Aston Villa and Atalanta as well as locking down his first team role when he faced competition from Aaron Ramsdale.
Karius receives Man of the Match on debut for new club
Loris Karius, formerly of Liverpool and Newcastle, joined German side Schalke in January. Karius’ career has struggled since the Champions League final in 2018, when he infamously made two high profile mistakes which gifted Real Madrid their 13th Champions League title. Karius made the move to Schalke hoping to revive his career in his home country but failed to make an appearance within his first month at the club.
However, on Friday that all changed as he started between the sticks against Preussen Munster. Schalke won 1-0 as he kept a clean sheet and won player of the match. Has Karius finally got his career back on track?
Newcastle reignite interest in Championship goalkeeper
The Magpies are expected to target a new goalkeeper this summer as part of a broader squad overhaul, reported the Athletic last week.
Whilst Eddie Howe values Nick Pope's supreme shot stopping abilities, it has been widely noted that the Englishman's distribution could be a reason for Newcastle to dip into the market.
Now 32 and in the last year of his contract, there are questions about how long Pope will remain first choice. Burnley's James Trafford, who has been in stellar form for the Championship promotion-gunners this season, has regularly been touted as an option and the Daily Mail recently reported a deal was close.
Southampton's Aaron Ramsdale and Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher have also been reported as options for Howe's side.
Chelsea women sign Spurs goalkeeper on emergency loan
Chelsea women have signed Becky Spencer from Tottenham Hotspur on an emergency loan to provide cover for Zecira Musovic and Femke Liefting.
Musovic announced in January that she would miss the remainder of the season due to pregnancy, while Liefting, who joined Chelsea in the January transfer window suffered a foot injury ahead of Chelsea's meeting with Everton on February 16. It is likely that Liefting will be out long-term, according to the club.
Spencer previously played for Chelsea between 2016 and 2018, winning the WSL and the FA Cup during her time at Stamford Bridge.
