The statistics that reveal why Sheffield United plumped for Wes Foderingham

It was Pep Guardiola of Manchester City who first introduced English football to the notion that, in an era where teams obsess over their passing stats, goalkeepers must be as good with their feet as they are with their hands.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Chris Wilder, the Catalan’s counterpart at Sheffield United, does not subscribe to the theory that dominating possession is the only way to win a match. After all, if that was true, then his side would have found themselves languishing towards the wrong end of the Premier League table last season rather than challenging for a place in Europe before eventually finishing ninth. But Wilder does agree with Guardiola’s premise that every player on the pitch should be able to pick a pass - which, together with the experience he gleaned during a five year spell with one of the giants of the sport, goes a long way towards explaining why Wes Foderingham was selected from a long list of candidates vying to compete with Aaron Ramsdale for a place in United’s starting eleven next term.

“Wes is a very accomplished ‘keeper,” Wilder said, detailing the reasons behind the 29-year-old’s arrival at Bramall Lane earlier this summer. “You don’t stay at a club like Rangers for as long as he did, or even go there at all, if you aren’t seriously good at what you do. And he’s also very good with the ball at his feet, which I think is important for us going forward and vital in this day and age.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An analysis of Foderingham’s passing ability, both at Ibrox and throughout a career which also includes spells with Crystal Palace, Fulham and Swindon, highlights his expertise in this area. Dean Henderson, who has returned to Manchester United following two seasons on loan with United, rightly forced his way into the England reckoning after impressing in South Yorkshire. But neither he nor Ramsdale, who is set to get the nod when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Bramall Lane next Monday, are as accurate as Foderingham - who successfully completed all of his short distances passes last term and 58.3 per cent of those hit long. Since turning professional, the former England international returns figures of 98.2 and 64.7 respectively compared to Ramsdale (96.4-64.3) and Henderson (97.3-63.4).

Ramsdale, who graduated from the Steelphalt Academy before joining AFC Bournemouth, will begin the campaign as Wilder’s number one after rejoining his first professional club last month. However, Foderingham’s presence has prompted the manager to describe United’s goalkeeping department as the strongest it has been at any time since his appointment in May 2016. Ramsdale donn ed the gloves during United’s friendlies in Scotland, against Dundee United and Hearts, before Foderingham deputised for the England under-21 international when Wilder’s squad faced Derby County and Preston North End.

“I told Wes, with Aaron going away, that he’d be in for the first two,” he said. “Then, we knew Wes would be in the remaining games. That’s how we worked it.”

An important message: Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.