The goalkeeper is crucial in Russell Martin‘s teams, tasked with being a crucial part of the way the side builds up in possession as well as of course protecting the goal out of it.
This has been very evident since Martin took over at Southampton last summer, with Gavin Bazunu the undisputed first choice given his confidence with the ball at his feet.
That was until he suffered an Achilles injury in April that will keep him out until 2025 and Alex McCarthy stepped in for the play-off winning end to the season.
An upgrade was expected to be one of the first issues to be resolved this summer but as yet this has not materialised and McCarthy’s shortfalls with the ball were highlighted in the cruelest of ways as his error saw Southampton lose 1-0 to ten-man Newcastle United on the opening day.
Southampton set to sign Justin Bijlow to replace Alex McCarthy
That mistake only confirmed fans’ worst fears, with McCarthy showing in pre-season his struggles with his distribution.
Martin has refused to blame McCarthy publicly but the clanger at the weekend has seen Southampton step up their efforts to sign a goalkeeper.
Jason Steele and Aaron Ramsdale are both names that have been mentioned this summer but it now looks as though the Saints have won the race to sign Justin Bijlow from Feyenoord for a fee in the region of £10 million.
Having played under new Liverpool manager Arne Slot for Feyenoord, Bijlow is very comfortable with the ball and should provide Martin with a huge upgrade on his current options.
The fact the deal is set to be permanent – rather than the likely loan of Ramsdale – could see the position in safe hands for years to come.
Russell Martin has one cause for concern in signing Bijlow
Bijlow has been considered by Arsenal this summer should Ramsdale leave, whilst Manchester United and Liverpool have also been credited with interest.
Bijlow has surprisingly been demoted to second choice at Feyenoord by new coach Brian Priske despite being key to the club’s Eredivisie title win in 2022/23 and being a regular in the Netherlands squad.
If Southampton can finalise a deal it could be a real coup for a relatively low price given Bijlow is only 26, but there could be one issue for Martin.
That is Bijlow’s injury record.
According to Transfermarkt, Bijlow has missed an incredible 704 days through injury since 2018.
It is not just one problem either. In that time the goalkeeper has fractured his wrist, had surgery on a foot injury, had groin problems, as well as injuries to his knees and toes.
It is rare for a ‘keeper to be injured so regularly and this will surely be a worry for Southampton as they pursue Bijlow’s signing.
Undoubtedly a good goalkeeper, Southampton will not benefit from that if he continues to be absent on a regular basis.
