Goalkeeping is a forever evolving aspect of football, with even modern interpretations seeing occasional errors. Mads Hermansen, the Leicester City goalkeeper, made such a mistake this past weekend, highlighting the challenges faced by keepers in the contemporary game.
Hermansen has been a stalwart for Leicester City this season, featuring in 39 of their 40 league matches. However, during their recent clash against Birmingham City, Hermansen’s error proved costly.
With play restarted by a goal-kick from Wout Faes, Hermansen received the ball from his defender but hesitated in playing it forward. His delay allowed Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield to apply pressure, ultimately leading to the ball deflecting off Stansfield and into Leicester City’s net for Birmingham’s equalizer.
While Leicester City managed to secure a 2-1 victory, they can consider themselves fortunate that their opponent was a struggling Birmingham side. Birmingham’s lack of form meant they couldn’t fully capitalize on Hermansen’s error.
However, facing teams like West Bromwich Albion and Southampton in the upcoming weeks, who employ fast-paced attacking strategies and aggressive defense, could pose greater challenges. Against such opponents, any repetition of Hermansen’s mistake could prove disastrous for Leicester’s promotion aspirations.
Hermansen arrived at Leicester last summer from Denmark’s Brondby IF for £6 million, as reported by the Athletic. Under manager Enzo Maresca, he has been deployed as a modern ‘sweeper keeper’ tasked with initiating plays from the back.
Despite his error against Birmingham, Hermansen has generally impressed. According to FotMob, the 23-year-old Dane boasts a 75% save percentage, conceding 36 goals from 142 shots faced, with an 84% pass accuracy. He has kept 12 clean sheets, showcasing his shot-stopping abilities.
However, Leicester fans may express concerns about Hermansen’s ability to maintain clean sheets consistently, especially if the team secures promotion to the Premier League. Burnley’s experience after gaining promotion last year serves as a cautionary tale.
Despite boasting a solid defensive record upon promotion, Burnley struggled defensively in the Premier League. Their goalkeeper, Ari Muric, faced similar challenges, and Burnley’s defensive woes contributed to their struggles in the top flight.
The parallels between Hermansen and Muric’s situations are striking, particularly considering the similarity in errors made by both keepers. Muric’s mistake against Everton this weekend mirrored Hermansen’s error against Birmingham, underscoring the importance of addressing such issues before competing at the Premier League level.
As Leicester eyes potential promotion, they must assess Hermansen’s performance critically. While it may not necessitate immediate replacement, addressing recurring errors will be crucial for a successful transition to the Premier League. With the stakes high and aspirations of securing a stable Premier League position, Leicester cannot afford to overlook the importance of a reliable goalkeeper.
Hermansen’s error against Birmingham serves as a reminder of the challenges goalkeepers face in modern football. As Leicester City pursues promotion, addressing defensive vulnerabilities, including goalkeeper errors, will be essential for their success in the Premier League.