Question about goalies

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Anish

It’s because footballers are evaluated based on touch, dribbling, goal scoring ability, passing ability, free kicks, speed, strength, etc. In that sense, keepers are not normal footballers. They only handle the ball a few times per match and - although they may be critical - they are not the sort of touches a field player makes.

When you play small sided games there usually isn’t even a goalie. And if there is no one really wants to play there.

I hear you, but take hockey -- same general concept, goalies don't shoot or skate, but Roy, Plante, Sawchuk, Tretiak, Dryden, and others are right up there in the pantheon.

[Anish]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I hear you, but take hockey -- same general concept, goalies don't shoot or skate, but Roy, Plante, Sawchuk, Tretiak, Dryden, and others are right up there in the pantheon.

Yes, but football is not hockey. There are tons more scoring chances in hockey and much less possesion; football could be played without goalies but hockey could not.

Hockey players are also evaluated largely on statistics as opposed to optics.

[Anish]

There has also only been one goalie to win the Balon D’Or (Yashin) while several goalies (Hasek twice) have won MVP’s.

However, I think that reflects the perceived differences in importance of the positions in the respective sports as opposed to the relative greatness of the players.