Could an outfield player ever be converted into a good goalkeeper?

horsechoker

The Caf's Ezza.
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Supposing they at least played at a professional level at 18 in an outfield position.

Could one learn to be a goalie or do you need to have been trained since one's teen years?
 
Yes, especially the current game where being good with your feet is arguably more important than reflex saves.
 
Yeah. Whether it goes very well is another question though.
 
Yeah, Rio was quite good v Portsmouth iirc.

Why not, would suit pep ball and similar system to be a top level midfielder and then learn to be a GK after.
 
Jim Ratcliffe is noting this down as he prepares to tell Amorim to turn Lindelöf into a goalkeeper
 
Probably earlier than 18.

Buffon started as a midfielder at Parma around 13/14 but switched to keeper and made his Serie A debut at 17.
 
I'm a GK coach for over 15 years. The short answer to your question is "Not really". Unless that player has had some sort of GK training, moving into that position is difficult because of the specific training we go through daily. You're better off with a sub standard keeper as your number 2 and who has had GK training, than an outfield player thinking he can command an 18 yard area for any duration of a game. You'd be more likely to find goalkeepers moving into a striker role (which I've seen a few times) as their ability to read the game comes in handy up front.
 
Il Prete Rosso said:
I'm a GK coach for over 15 years. The short answer to your question is "Not really". Unless that player has had some sort of GK training, moving into that position is difficult because of the specific training we go through daily. You're better off with a sub standard keeper as your number 2 and who has had GK training, than an outfield player thinking he can command an 18 yard area for any duration of a game. You'd be more likely to find goalkeepers moving into a striker role (which I've seen a few times) as their ability to read the game comes in handy up front.
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Im not trying to be controversial but I think if theres a striker who is a kleptomaniac chances are he would do well as a GK. Quick hands. Add trainings and he'd be up there considering striker already knew type of shots and usually tall.
 
Apparently Pele was also a really good Goalkeeper being the back up at Santos for years with Santos teammate and goalkeeper Lalá claiming that he'd have been the first choice keeper for Brazil if that was his main position stating that “He was incredible in goal, unbelievable. That’s no exaggeration, he did all the basics perfectly.” (Source)
 
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