Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has backed Robin Olsen to provide depth for Emiliano Martinez this season, and is happy with a young third-choice goalkeeper for cover.
Albeit an experienced shot-stopper, both at club and international level, it’s fair to say that Olsen hasn’t always been able to entirely convince that he’s a reliable second option.
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The 33-year-old conceded 14 goals in six appearances across all competitions last season, and in addition to question marks over his organisation and commanding presence to lead our defence, his distribution hasn’t always been ideal either in a system and style of play that needs him to be accurate.
In turn, there was perhaps an expectation that Emery would address that position this summer, but based on his comments this weekend, it doesn’t sound as though it’s an issue for him and he’s content going into the new campaign with his current two senior goalkeepers, as well as potentially Filip Marschall as our third-choice after Viljami Sinisalo was loaned out.
“We have two international goalkeepers,” he said, as per BirminghamLive. “Robin Olsen is playing last year with us less matches, but I think he played very well. I remember that match in Tottenham, 2-0 with him, and we have to use him and be ready because we are going to play a lot of matches.
“We have to play with a lot of players and with the goalkeepers we have to be ready to play with Emiliano, with Robin Olsen and, of course, if something is happening in the season we have to be ready with the young goalkeeper.”
Time will ultimately tell if that proves to be a good decision or a mistake, as Olsen will hopefully prove many of us wrong and showcase his quality to be a reliable option when needed.
Naturally, it’s hoped that Martinez is able to avoid injuries and suspensions to feature as often as possible, as in the Argentine World Cup winner, we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world, if not the best, and he will continue to be fundamental in our progress.
That said, there will be a need for rotation this season given our pursuit of silverware in the cup competitions as well as the Europa Conference League, and Olsen will ultimately feature often as Emery rotates.
Meanwhile, the Villa boss went on to discuss overall depth in his squad in other areas, and he sounds relatively happy with what he has available currently, while it remains to be seen if we add any further reinforcements in the coming weeks.
It was positive though to hear him confirm that he is giving our young players a chance to prove themselves, as they could end up being important bench options for us over the course of the campaign.
“I want two players for each position,” he added. “Goalkeeper is always two goalkeepers and one young. Then, two for each position and young players trying to use them helping us in some moments. More or less we are speaking about 25 players in the squad and a possibility to get [more] in. Now, we are trying to do a test with some young players, who is ready to help us now in the quality and capacity we need.”