Everton Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg Has His Say on Sweeper Keepers Amid Manchester City Mistakes

Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has revealed how he feels about sweeper keepers and Manchester City's unique situation.

According to theExpress, Stekelenburg feels the main priority is stopping the ball from going in the net.

Stekelenburg has had a good start to the season himself, most recently saving two penalties against City in their 1-1 draw.

Now, Stekelenburg, who was taught in Ajax's famed academy, has had his say on what he feels a keeper should be after seeing Claudio Bravo's antics for City against Barcelona.

Basically, the main priority for goalkeepers is saving balls,� says Stekelenburg.

I come from the Ajax Youth academy, I'm used to playing with my feet. I don't haveany problem with that. But people don't have to forget that the main thing for a goalkeeper is saving balls and then everything you do extra to help the team is a bonus.

It started when goalkeepers couldn't pick up the ball any more when the defenders played it back. These days goalkeepers have to be all round. They have to be good with their feet, high balls “ the basic goalkeeping stuff.

We [Everton] want to play out from the back but we don't want to put too many risks in it because then we will concede goals.�

The 34-year-old has helped Everton to the second meanest defence this season thanks to his heroics that denied Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero from the penalty spot.

I have saved one in a match before but never two in a game,� says Stekelenburg.

He [Jagielka] said thank you “ but I'm still waiting for dinner.

The key is just to wait as long as possible. That is what I do. You don't want to make it too easy for the taker. Almost all goalkeepers will agree that if you go too early, you make it easy. They will just pass it to the other side.�

Stekenlenburg put in a man-of-the-match performance that game and doesn't regard those two stops as his highlight of the match.

It was the last one, the shot from De Bruyne,� he says when pushed on his favourite save.

Was it the game of my life? Not at the moment. If you stop two penalties in a game and you get a result it is always different. If you lost four or five nil, I don't think I will be sitting here with so many people. When it wins you a point it is nice, especially there, because I don't think many going there will take points.�