So Almunia has left the club after much speculation as to what was actually happening with his future although a move did appear to be on the cards. He's had a bit of a touch and go career with us that to be fair included 175 first team appearances, one of them being a Champions League final, keeping a by no means poor 70 clean sheets. But there was just always that air about him, a question mark over his confidence in himself. There was always that niggling feeling of maybe, he'll make that error. To be honest though after Seaman we did like a error-prone keeper: Lehmann, Fabianksi and Almunia all fit the bill. That said I never particularly disliked any of them, just didn't rate them as great keepers.
Almunia's penalty record is nothing to sniffed at either and on his day he was a fine shot stopper there are no doubts there. I just think with all the recent keeper talk about Arsenal and with Szczesny now firmly in the first choice position I just can't see where Almunia will fit in should we need another keeper, as we have *gulp* Fabianski. So I think a move is probably the best for all concerned, I hope he does well whatever he decides to do next.
As RVP's contract talks rumbled on over the last week and bit nothing has come out of anywhere about what exactly has been said or has happened. Talks have ended for now with Robin joining the Holland team in their build up to the Euro's. So for now we can only hope that something will be sorted.
I'll keep you all up to date with any big news that emerges. Until then, enjoy the sun!
