Brad Friedel is upset over Matt Turner and his summer move from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest this summer. The player moved to the City Ground for £7 million after spending a single campaign fighting for the title with the Gunners.
The Premier League legend has been speaking to Goal during the international break. Turner starred for the USA as they defeated Uzbekistan over the weekend and he’s firmly established on the international stage.
Turner will compete with Odysseas Vlachodimos for the gloves at the City Ground. The 29-year-old is in possession of the spot in the team right now, with the Greece goalkeeper signing on transfer deadline day.
Friedel has admitted his frustration over the Turner situation once again. He now feels that he’s guaranteed to be the number one custodian on Trentside either.
He told Goal: “With Turner’s move, someone as good as him should never have signed a contract to be a number two for any club. I understand Arsenal are a huge, fantastic club, but when you have the ability he has, you’re only physically able to play football in your life, you need to play as many games as you can.
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“I was a little disappointed for him when he was on the bench all season so I’m really happy with his move.
“But I’m a little disappointed again because Nottingham Forest know how good of a goalkeeper they have, yet they have signed another goalkeeper from Benfica who is 29 and has played about 500 games and lifted titles. He’s got another battle on his hands.”
Friedel disappointed with Forest star Turner
The man who made 450 Premier League appearances during his career won’t have much to worry about in the short term. Turner is in possession of the gloves and he kept his first clean sheet against Chelsea.
That should almost certainly see him keep his place against Burnley when domestic football returns. Turner hasn’t done anything to warrant being dropped just yet and he deserves a run.
Competition for places is certainly healthy. Wayne Hennessey and Ethan Horvath are still at the club and right now, the goalkeeping ranks look well-stocked on Trentside.
Turner is a confident performer. As a result, Friedel should back the USA number one to maintain his status as the Forest number one for the foreseeable too.