Matt Pyzdrowski

former professional goalkeeper who played in the United States and Sweden and now coaches the position. Serves as a goalkeeping analyst for @TheAthleticFC

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

If David Raya was a striker, we’d be calling his season world-class.

Because he’s a goalkeeper, the conversation feels different.

My latest for @TheAthleticFC on why Raya’s season should change the Player of the Year debate.

https://t.co/sf2cNyNPrk

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

Every World Cup seems to produce a goalkeeping performance that lives forever.

This year, it's happening again.

Inside the mind of the underdog goalkeeper and the feeling of becoming "invincible."

📝 for @TheAthleticFC

https://t.co/dgopXNS4ab

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

Every World Cup seems to produce a goalkeeping performance that lives forever.

This year, it's happening again.

Inside the mind of the underdog goalkeeper and the feeling of becoming "invincible."

📝 for @TheAthleticFC

https://t.co/dgopXNS4ab

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

For an entire generation of goalkeepers, the benchmark became simple.

If a goalkeeper produced a ridiculous performance, if they dominated their penalty area, swept up danger behind the back line and somehow still made impossible saves look routine, there was a phrase players and supporters kept coming back to: “He turned into prime Neuer.”

Very few players redefine a position to the point where their name becomes synonymous with excellence.

And while the modern goalkeeper did not begin with Manuel Neuer, for many coaches, players and goalkeepers around the world, it certainly felt like it.

📝 @mattpyzdrowski

🔗 https://t.co/kr04rpiuY7

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

Manuel Neuer didn't invent the modern goalkeeper, but for many coaches, players and goalkeepers around the world, it certainly felt like he did.

A look at one of the greatest of all time as part of @TheAthleticFC's World Cup Stars of Soccer series.
https://t.co/82rkatEY35

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

@KHeneage Thanks, mate! Very kind of you

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

Manuel Neuer didn't invent the modern goalkeeper, but for many coaches, players and goalkeepers around the world, it certainly felt like he did.

A look at one of the greatest of all time as part of @TheAthleticFC's World Cup Stars of Soccer series.
https://t.co/82rkatEY35

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Welcome to Stars of Soccer, The Athletic’s World Cup player guide.

Lionel Messi is here, and there’s room for Cristiano Ronaldo too.

There are legends of the game, the current elite, rising stars and others who really make their teams tick.

They are old and young, some at their first World Cup, some at their sixth.

They are players you should enjoy this summer, and we are here to tell you all about them (and how to pronounce their names).

🔗 https://t.co/NhvPUYo9pi

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

Ewen Jaouen is officially a Newcastle United player.

Strong in the air. Excellent in 1v1 situations. Still developing technically.

A deep dive into the goalkeeper Newcastle hope can become their future No 1.

📝 for @TheAthleticFC
https://t.co/HLcHtSKiju

[Chris Waugh @ChrisDHWaugh]

⚫ 6ft 6in, great athletically & a 'modern keeper' 🧤
⚪ Proactive 🏃
⚫ Pope-esque saves 👀
⚪ Decent with his feet ⚽

🔍 Why are #NUFC investing in a 20-year-old goalkeeper? @mattpyzdrowski delves into why Ewen Jaouen is such an exciting shot-stopper:
https://t.co/2HnQtUCMZb

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

Ewen Jaouen is far from the finished article.

But at 20 years old, Newcastle are betting on traits that can't be taught and a ceiling that is incredibly high.

A deep dive into what the France U21 goalkeeper could bring to Newcastle.

https://t.co/ZdPqOkeh3F

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

If David Raya was a striker, we’d be calling his season world-class.

Because he’s a goalkeeper, the conversation feels different.

My latest for @TheAthleticFC on why Raya’s season should change the Player of the Year debate.

https://t.co/sf2cNyNPrk

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

@Keepers_Union I know 🤣

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Goalkeeping remains the most reactive position in football. If a striker misses six chances and scores the winner, he is the hero.

A goalkeeper can perform flawlessly for 89 minutes and still leave the stadium blamed for one positional mistake or one shot that swerves unexpectedly late.

A forward’s contribution is more visible whereas a goalkeeper's influence is often preventative, subtle and psychological.

Goalkeepers spend entire matches trying to prevent the very thing football exists to celebrate. They are the sport’s disruptors, the villain in the narrative.

Nobody buys tickets hoping to see a goalkeeper dominate and yet, when teams win titles, the truly great sides almost always have one.

@mattpyzdrowski explains why goalkeepers like Arsenal's outstanding David Raya rarely win the sport's top individual awards and argues why that should really happen more often.

🔗 https://t.co/5bjL3uI7yC

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

When Antonin Kinsky was substituted by Igor Tudor in the 17th minute against Atletico Madrid, it was suggested that his future at Tottenham Hotspur, and perhaps as a professional at the elite level, was finished.

But the 23-year-old was not consigned to others writing his story.

Kinsky has been steadily building toward a performance like the one he produced in Monday’s 1-1 draw against Leeds United.

He needed to produce something spectacular and he did. Twice.

@EliasBurke's piece on Kinsky is free to read 🎁

https://t.co/HW1qdkoy2Q

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

Arsenal can take another huge step toward the Premier League title today.

If they do, David Raya will be a big reason why.

Ahead of kick-off, alongside @ArtdeRoche, I broke down the technique behind Raya’s five best saves of the season | @TheAthleticFC

https://t.co/TO37WKGgJN

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

If Arsenal end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, David Raya will be a massive reason why.

Alongside @ArtdeRoche, I broke down the technique, footwork and explosiveness behind Raya’s five best saves of the season.

📝 for @TheAthleticFC

https://t.co/TO37WKGgJN

[Art de Roché @ArtdeRoche]

David Raya will earn at least a share of the 25-26 PL Golden Glove

It will be his third in a row at Arsenal, and this year in particular, his saves have come at crucial moments with Arsenal level or one goal ahead

Analysis on his best w/@mattpyzdrowski
https://t.co/y0F94cfA4d

[Matt Pyzdrowski @mattpyzdrowski]

If Arsenal end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title, David Raya will be a massive reason why.

Alongside @ArtdeRoche, I broke down the technique, footwork and explosiveness behind Raya’s five best saves of the season.

📝 for @TheAthleticFC

https://t.co/TO37WKGgJN