I've been reading the goalkeeper debate for some time now and I still wonder how some on here still defend Migs as being a good enough keeper.
In truth, I've complained about him since his first season with us and since, nothing has changed. From his very beginning (his 1st or 2nd start with us if I recall), we learned that he's a good penalty stopper. But besides that, if we're honest, there is nothing outstanding about him. He's below bar coming off his line for areal balls. Below par in distribution. Below par in positioning and just about average in shot stopping (being generous here). And of course, far below average in brain farts and Cruyff style hard stopping moments. Being Belgian myself, I've tried hard to have a positive bias towards him but he truly makes it impossible.
After watching the Arsenal-Chelsea game, I thought of what the outcome of the game would be had both teams had Mignolet in net. My guess is about a 4-4 tie... realistically.
When I see the saves De Gea, Courtois and Cech make on a weekly basis, it really puts it in perspective how far behind we are in that domain. In that game only, there were more outstanding saves I can remember Mignolet pulling over the past 2 seasons. When you stop to think about it, he has made far many more memorable mistakes than memorables stops. That's enough for me.
I wish him the best but I fear he'll even have a hard time finding another team in the prem as everyone knows he's at his max capacity. I could see him move to a lower French or Dutch club in truth.
He doesn't command and instill confidence, he very rarely step up to save points and I truly believe that a world class keeper is what we need if we're to actually have a shot in the league next season.
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