How to develop a sweeper keeper

With many teams pressing further up the pitch - and therefore leaving a high line at the back - the role of the ‘sweeper ’keeper’ is more prevalent than ever.

Goalkeepers have always been the last line of defence inside the penalty area, but these days more and more regularly venture outside the box to clear.

Ready to occupy that danger zone between the penalty box and the back four, the modern-day goalkeeper will be alert and in a position to beat the opposition striker to a long ball.

Feet are becoming just as important as hands for shot-stoppers these days, and they relish the chance to become the 11th player in possession, either by hitting a long ball forward or by playing a more precise pass into midfield.

It is possible to develop players in your team into sweeper ’keepers, even - or maybe especially - if they are currently an outfielder. 

Key attributes required are a cool head, competence on the ball and the ability to read situations quickly, like Manchester City’s Ederson - and he began as an attacking left-back before being turned into a goalkeeper.

As a youngster, the Brazilian preferred being an outfield player - “It’s more fun, you touch the ball more often, you score goals, you celebrate" - but admitted he was "too lazy" to track back.

When a coach suggested he play in goal, he was reluctant - but from the moment of his first save, he was hooked.

It was futsal that unlocked his passion for the position, as he was able to perfect the skills that mark him out as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the world now.

"Feet are becoming just as important as hands for shot-stoppers these days..."

His futsal coach, Ticao, devised a plan in which the outfield players would circulate in the penalty area to distract the defence, while Ederson casually ambled forward - the ball would be played to a teammate, who ran over it, and Ederson would blast it in the net.

That, and the fact he took penalties, meant he was the team’s second highest goalscorer, emulating his hero - Sao Paolo’s legendary set-piece taking goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni.

But the man himself believes Ederson has outstripped him by being a key cog in one of Europe’s best attacking machines, while still being an outstanding goalkeeper.

"A club like City, who usually have 60% to 75% of ball possession, controls the game," Rogerio Ceni said.

“The goalkeeper will have about 50 actions in a match, of which 40 will be with his feet. If 85% or 90% of the actions are played with your feet, that shows the importance of having a goalkeeper with this skill.

“It’s the position that has changed most and maybe Ederson is the best you can get in a goalkeeper today - the most complete goalkeeper in modern football."

So if you want to develop a goalkeeper who can be the "11th outfielder" - as Toni Kroos once described Manuel Neuer - maybe use futsal sessions to improve your shot-stopper’s ball skills.

Alternatively, consider converting an existing outfield player who is comfortable with the ball and fancies a fresh outlook.

Either way, make sure they are incorporated into general training sessions with the other players to enable them to get more touches of the ball.