Fabio Capello may not long for too many things these days - especially after that wonderful World Cup draw on Friday - but there must the the occasional moment when he wishes Shay Given was English.The Manchester City goalkeeper, cruelly deprived of the chance to be involved in South Africa by Thierry Henry's hand, would surely have proved in the Finals that he is one of the best in the world. We already know he has few rivals in the Premier League.
If Given is having sleepless nights about the Republic of Ireland's exit against France, his professionalism has not been affected one iota, as he proved with the penalty save from Frank Lampard that ensured City's victory over Chelsea.
When pundits - and Fifa, we suspect - were lamenting the possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi not participating at the Finals, there was no mention of the danger that Given would miss out.
Goalkeepers simply do not receive that kind of consideration, or accolades, but Given certainly deserves them. He is a world-class performer, so let's give him a 10/10 rating and look at how his Premier League rivals compare.
Arsenal - Manuel Almunia 7: The Spanish 'keeper had designs on playing for England, but he would not rank in England's top three. Some Arsenal fans may even have their doubts.
Aston Villa - Brad Friedel 7: Holds the record for the most consecutive Premier League appearances. His standards are still incredibly high, but now past his very best and under pressure from Brad Guzan to keep his club place.
Birmingham City - Joe Hart 6: Still coming to terms with the Premiership and prone to occasional mistakes, but he will get better with age.
Blackburn Rovers - Paul Robinson 7: One-time England first choice and looks to be making a late bid for South Africa. He might just pull it off because he has the experience.
Bolton Wanderers - Jussi Jaaskelainen 8: It's not hard to imagine what could happen to Bolton if the Finnish 'keeper leaves. A model of consistency and great shot stopper for the past decade.
Burnley - Brian Jensen 5: "The Beast" is hardly one of the most mobile 'keepers around his six-yard box and should not even be talked about in the same breath as Given, but he is a good shot-stopper and could yet be at the World Cup with Denmark.
Chelsea -Petr Cech 8: Before his serious head injury he may well have been the one to beat Given to the top of the list. Seems to lack a little confidence in physical situations now.
Everton - Tim Howard 8: Just seems to get better and better. England will have trouble finding a way past him next summer.
Fulham - Mark Schwarzer 7: The experienced Australian has been a revelation at Fulham since leaving Middlesbrough. Brave and remains incredibly agile despite his advancing years.
Hull City - Matt Duke 5: Made a couple of high profile errors at the weekend which his team were made to pay for. Should not forget that he was playing Blue Square Conference football a few years ago.
Liverpool - Pepe Reina 9: Without the Spaniard Liverpool would be in a sorry state. He is used as a model by many Premier League clubs Academy coaches and comes closest to taking Given's title.
Manchester United - Edwin Van der Saar 7: Injury prone these days, although contemplating coming out of retirement for the World Cup finals. Another, who in his prime, would have rivalled Given.
Portsmouth - David James 8: The best English goalkeeper in the Premier League withouth doubt, despite his tendency to still come up with the odd clanger. Injury problems count against him.
Stoke City - Thomas Sorensen 6: Martin O'Neill told him he was finished when the Dane left Aston Villa. He is proving that is far from being the case.
Sunderland - Craig Gordon 7: The Scotland international cost the kind of money that suggests he might rival Given one day, but he is some way short of that right now.
Tottenham - Huerelho Gomes 6: "The Octopus" seems to have stabilized things at Spurs - after a difficult early period under Harry Redknapp, but the fact the Spurs boss would still sign another 'keeper tomorrow, suggests he is nowhere near good enough.
West Ham - Robert Green 7: Great shot stopper and remarkably consistent for West Ham, but has not gone on to justify claims that he is the natural successor to James.
Wigan Athletic - Chris Kirkland 6: Another who was highly regarded as a kid and tipped for stardom. Injuries have blighted his development.
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Wayne Hennessey 5: First choice 'keeper for the Welsh national team and at the age of 22 a fine prospect, but he has struggled at Premier League level so far.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The question that I never see asked is "Why did Arsenal not buy Shay Given when he left Newcastle?"
Arsenal need, and deserve, a world-class keeper and Almunia is no-where good enough.
To rate Mark Schwarzer below David James and the same as Robert Green is just madness. You obviously have not seen a lot of Fulham since he joined!
Great to read an article like this Ian. The funny thing is Shay got mixed recognition at Newcastle because of the amount of goals the defence leaked while now, with the higher profile club, he's being given the recognition we all knew he deserved. Still doesn't change fact that we won't be at WC in Africa tho!!
It’s refreshing to read your article Ian. It's gr8 that Shay is finally getting the recognition that seemed to elude him at Newcastle all those years. Still a pity though that he won’t be at Africa in 2010 as that is your most valid point – on the world stage he has few peers but without the opportunity to show and record the fact it is impossible to make objective comparison.