A look at the new Premier League GK transfers...
We’ve enjoyed the success of England’s Lionesses at Euro 2022 (were we right about Mary Earps!) and the start of the EFL season, now it’s time to turn our attention to the Premier League. The 2022/23 season will premiere on Friday night when Crystal Palace face Arsenal at Selhurst and runs until May, bar a short hiatus for the Qatar World Cup.
As usual, there has been a lot of wheeling and dealing ahead of the new campaign, so let’s look at some interesting signings which have caught our eye..
Dean Henderson - Manchester United to Nottingham Forest
Dean Henderson has been rated as one of England’s best young goalkeepers since his impressive loan spell at Sheffield United but was never quite able to claim David De Gea’s number one spot at Manchester United.
The England international described his final year at Old Trafford like ‘being a caged animal’ and will have been relieved when newly promoted Forest came calling.
Despite being tipped by many for an immediate return to the Championship, Steve Cooper has made two marquee signings in the form of Henderson and Jesse Lingard.
It may well be that Forest’s fate will lay heavily on how those two perform, who will be spurred on by chances of England recalls to the squad for the World Cup.
Bernd Leno - Arsenal to Fulham
There can be no hiding from Fulham’s defensive issues in their previous two Premier League seasons. The capture of Bernd Leno could well prove to be a shrewd bit of business at £6 million, especially given some of the Cottager’s reckless spending in recent history.
Leno played second fiddle to Aaron Ramsdale last season but should still be regarded as a very good Premier League goalkeeper in his own right.
At the age of 30, Leno has plenty left in the tank but with invaluable Premier League experience behind him and could play a vital part in Fulham’s battle to avoid the drop.
Gavin Bazunu - Manchester City to Southampton
Gavin Bazunu’s move to Southampton has been met with some intrigue, not least on the south coast. Bazunu was named Player of the Season for Southampton’s fierce rivals Portsmouth signed for the Saints on a permanent deal from Manchester City this summer.
The Irishman, who already has ten senior caps to his name at the age of 20, joined Southampton for a reported £12 million , even though his performances at Fratton Park would have many thinking City would want to keep hold of him for another couple of years.
After Frazer Forster joined Spurs, it’s likely Bazunu will be at least guaranteed a place on the bench. However, given his impressive loan spells in English senior football, he will harbour ambitions of usurping Alex McCarthy.