Yahoo News A list of goalkeepers Birmingham City can sign to replace Etheridge - and potentially Ruddy
The goalkeeping department at Birmingham City requires surgery this summer. Both of the club’s goalkeepers, John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge, have reached the end of their contracts and the latter has already been released.
Blues have offered Ruddy, who has been their number one in the past two seasons, a new contract along with veteran striker Lukas Jutkiewicz. But there are no guarantees that Ruddy will drop down to League One.
If Blues are planning to play a more expansive, possession-based brand of football then signing a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet is a top priority. Every team who successfully plays the style Blues are striving towards has a goalkeeper capable of starting attacks.
But which goalkeepers are well suited? Here are five who could give Blues’ goalkeeping department a fresh look for League One..
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READ: Birmingham City can sign League One’s best goalkeeper on free transfer
Sam Tickle
Few goalkeepers performed better in League One last season than Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle. The 22-year-old was ever-present for 12th-placed Wigan and kept a credible 14 clean sheets.
According to FBREF, Tickle saved 137 of the 188 shots on target he faced last term, giving him a save percentage of 72.9 – a statistic only four goalkeepers in the league bettered. Tickle is a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet in a Latics side that likes to dominate possession. Tickle boasted a 62.2 percent pass completion rate in league matches.
Lukas Jensen
The goalkeeper with the highest save percentage in League One last season – a whopping 78 percent – is Lincoln City’s Jensen. He also kept the most clean sheets in the league and was the last line of the second best defence in the third tier.
The one thing that could count against Jensen, 25, is that Lincoln’s counter-attacking style didn’t allow him to showcase ability on the ball. Although there is time for the 6ft 5in Dane to develop that skill.
Ben Wilson
At 31, Wilson is the only goalkeeper on this list in his thirties. However, that isn’t ancient in goalkeeping terms and Wilson was Coventry’s number one in 2022/23 when they reached the Championship play-off final.
Brad Collins replaced him between the sticks last season and Wilson could seek a new challenge this summer. Blues can’t just fill their goalkeeping shirts with youngsters and Wilson would bring some valuable experience.
Joe Wildsmith
Now for the man who was statistically the best goalkeeper in League One last season. Wildsmith kept the most clean sheets for Derby County - 20 in 40 appearances - and conceded the fewest goals (37).
The 28-year-old was a surprise name on Derby's released list, meaning he is available on a free transfer. Wildsmith is at the right age and has good experience in League One and the Championship.
Jackson Smith
Clubs will be circling around Smith this summer with his contract at League Two side Walsall due to expire. The 22-year-old joined the Saddlers last year to play the role of understudy to Owen Evans but ended up gazumping his goalkeeping rival to take over number one duties in the second half of the season.
Walsall won 12 of the 21 League Two matches Smith started last term to narrowly miss out on the play-offs. Smith spent his formative years in Wolves’ academy and wouldn’t need to relocate if Blues did come calling.
