Mark Schwarzer was a fine goalkeeper in his prime.
The Australian twice made European finals, coming one game from glory with Middlesbrough and Fulham, before picking up back-to-back Premier League winners’ medals without playing a single league game for Chelsea and Leicester City in their victorious seasons.
He was a solid choice as a pundit on Match of the Day, and offered some insight on goalkeeping and set-piece defending when he joined former Cottagers teammate Danny Murphy on the sofa.
But one of Schwarzer’s comments wasn’t quite as well-received as the rest.
With a number of Premier League goalkeepers impressing over the last seven days – not least Hugo Lloris and Kasper Schmeichel during their respective sides’ Champions League outings – the subject of the best number one in the league was raised.
Schwarzer opted for Petr Čech – someone who certainly has laid claim to that honour in the past, but a goalkeeper who plenty of rivals’ fans don’t seem to think should even be part of the conversation.
It's no wonder pundits & 'experts' aren't taken seriously anymore. Schwarzer says Cech is better than De Gea? This isn't 2010 anymore mate
— Alex (@Alex94_mufc) October 22, 2016
Mark Schwarzer just said Cech is better than De Gea and the best keeper in the league. Really.
— Georgie 🏳️🌈 (@LieutenantSloth) October 22, 2016
"Petr Cech is best 'keeper in the Premier League" – Mark Schwarzer on @BBCMOTD
I guess he ain't seen that Spanish lad over in Manchester.
— Neeks Sports (@NeeksSports) October 23, 2016
https://twitter.com/D9Jordan/status/790118089132310528
Cech is better than De Gea according to Mark Schwarzer. Oh my.
— Matthew Bolton (@MatthewBolton89) October 23, 2016
Now, those of you with decent memories may recall that Schwarzer doesn’t seem to be the biggest David de Gea fan out there.
The 44-year-old was quizzed on the Spaniard’s abilities earlier this year on BT Sport’s ‘Fletch & Sav’ show, and was less than complimentary.
Still, there’s probably a bit of a difference between rating De Gea below Manuel Neuer – the best in the world in some people’s opinion – and giving Čech the upper hand.
You know what they say, though. Football is a game of opinions.
In the latest GAA Hour, we talk to Ken McGrath of Waterford and with Declan Brennan about a new club players’ association.
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