Everton Goalkeeper Joel Robles Deserves to Stay

Only Mentos and Coca-Cola are more reactionary than football fans. Everton number 1, Joel Robles has come under a lot of scrutiny after needlessly giving away a penalty kick when Burnley travelled to Goodison last week.

Undoubtedly Joel made a mistake. Ross Barkley headed the ball off the line twice during the Burnley game, which was going above and beyond what is typically expected of him. If hypothetically Barkley hadn’t been excelling in his defensive duties that match, then the game would have ended 3-3 due to the unwarranted foul on Vokes.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Joel Robles of Everton celebrates during the Premier League match between Everton and Leicester City at Goodison Park on April 9, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Vokes is an experienced player, from observing replays we can see that Vokes did actually play Robles, though it was hardly a tactful demonstration of playing the keeper. A simple shift to put his body in between Robles and the ball was all it took to earn the penalty, which simply is not good enough.

Recently ex-Everton player, Michael Ball has come out with a statement about Robles’ inadequacy:

"“…signing a new goalkeeper in the summer is a priority and knowing the Dutch football mentality as I do, I know Koeman and his staff will be making blunt assessments on the current squad.“They will be asking: how many of this squad would get into any of the sides currently in the top four?“Robles wouldn’t.“And having a good goalkeeper can make the difference. Make the difference between winning leagues or not, getting into the Champions League or not.”"

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Joel Robles of Everton looks on after Tottenham Hotspur score their third goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /

Criticisms aside, Joel has been fantastic this season having earned 5 clean sheets despite being placed in rotation with Stekelenburg all throughout the season. I wouldn’t go as far as saying outstanding, but he has been largely impressive in multiple games. During the Manchester United 1-1 draw he was quick of his line when he needed to be more than once, and also looked like he was saving the shot that Williams ended up handballing.

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Joel is far from the finished article, but 26 is so young for a goalkeeper to be as good as he is, and he will only get better. My opinion is that we give Joel Robles some time, even if Everton spend big on a new number 1, we should keep him as backup and to play in cups. He has won the FA cup, after all.

Up the Ev.

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