Despite a very disappointing final 12 months at Everton, Tim Howard will always be remembered as a great goalkeeper for the Toffees.
Since arriving on loan in 2006 to fill the gloves of Nigel Martyn, he has become an Everton icon. Although he’ll never reach the status of ‘legend’, he was a truly brilliant goalkeeper in his 10 years at the club and he’ll be hard to replace.
In 2006, he was only signed on loan, but an impressive first year at club rewarded him with a permanent deal at Goodison Park and since then he has never looked back. From saving penalties at Wembley to scoring against Bolton, he had his moments and we’ll be grateful for everything he has done, but now he’s gone and we need to replace him.
There are many keepers out there who we’d certainly take as the next number 1 at the Old Lady, Manuel Neuer or even Thibaut Courtois, and I’m sure Evertonians wouldn’t mind if we bought another keeper from Man United in David De Gea, pretty sure we could compete with Real Madrid for his signature!
But realistically, here are some of the players I believe would have no problem between the sticks at Goodison Park.
ASMIR BEGOVIC
Asmir Begovic would certainly fit the billing at Goodison Park, with Premier League and international experience he could be the perfect replacement for Tim Howard.
Since his arrival in Stoke in 2010, his 5-year spell saw him being constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford but eventually left to Chelsea last summer, proving that if he’s good enough for them then he’s good enough for us.
A deal for the Bosnian would be realistic as well, for most of this season he was used as an understudy to Thibaut Courtois and a player of is standard shouldn’t be stuck on the bench week in and week out.
Begovic only moved to Chelsea in the summer for £8 million and I’m sure if Everton matched that or bettered it, then Chelsea could be willing to let the former Stoke number one leave.
JACK BUTLAND
Another player who could easily be Everton’s next number one is Jack Butland. The Englishman has proved himself as a top quality keeper in his first season in the Premier League at the Britannia.
He’s already made his England debut and has been linked to other clubs such as Spurs and Liverpool. This, in a nutshell, proves how he could easily replace Tim Howard.
However, Jack signed a new 5-year deal in March following a season which saw him make an impressive 10 clean sheets in 31 games in his debut season for the Potters.
BERND LENO
The current Bayer Leverkusen man would be one of the top choices to be between the sticks for Everton come match-day one next season.
At 23 he has already proven himself as a really good goalkeeper in the Bundesliga and with at least another 10 years in him, he could be a great signing for the Blues.
However, it would take a lot to bring him to Goodison Park. Would he want to switch European football for a club who have finished 11th for 2 years in a row? On the other hand, a top manager and Moshiri’s money could now persuade him and if the Everton hierarchy had sense, they should really look to try and get his signature for next season.
Joel Robles
Are you willing to give him a chance?
He’s had some good moments and some moments I’m sure he would want to forget in an Everton shirt so far but is he capable of being our next first choice goalkeeper? Or, will he only ever be an understudy for someone else?
Joel finally stepped into Tim Howard’s shoes in February and has continued to improve since then, however, there still lies a question mark above his head. Is he good enough? Or do we need someone better?