During the summer I read a very interesting article in Marca that I wanted to share with our Non Spanish speaking readers. It was a tribute to all the Spanish goal keepers in La Liga as well as in England. It’s a testimony to the cantera or youth academy systems, that Spain continues to develop quality Keepers.
Did you know that there are 5 Spanish teams where ALL 3 Goal Keepers are from Spain?
Athletic de Bilbao (Iraizoz, Armando and Lafuente), Barcelona (Valdés, Pinto and Jorquera), Málaga (Arnau, Goitia and Tudela), Numancia (Juan Pablo, Diego and Jesús Fernández) and Osasuna (Ricardo, Roberto and Andrés Fernández). Very impressive.
We can’t forget all the number one Goal Keepers, that have earned their top spot at their club:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid and Spain) , Diego López (Villarreal) , Sergio Asenjo (Valladolid), Andres Palop (Sevilla) and Daniel Aranzubía (Deportivo La Coruña).
Did you know that there are several young Goalies (U-21) who play in Spain and have earned the no. 1 spot?
Asenjo (Valladolid and Spain U-21), Miguel Ángel Moyá (Mallorca), Asier Riesgo and Roberto (Recreativo de Huelva). The future looks bright!
Did you know that there are now 3 Spaniards who earn their trade in England?
Pepe Reina (Liverpool); Manolo Almunia (Arsenal) and César Sánchez (Tottenham backup).
Let’s hope that Spain never has the problem that England and other countries have with this position. Spain needs to continue to produce quality Keepers, at all costs.
