From Olympique de Marseille legend to playing for Crystal Palace’s U21s.
Maybe it’s just us, but we’re not sure that’s how Steve Mandanda saw his start of the season going when the London club bought him from the Ligue 1 club this summer.
Always on the move after nine years with Marseille, the 31-year-old moved to the Premier League to fulfil a dream, but playing against Nottingham Forest’s U21s probably wasn’t part of the plan.
However, upon reflection, Lollichon explained: “You also have to realise that Wayne Hennessey has progressed a lot and imposed himself last year. Steve wanted to come to England, to face a challenge, but to be a keeper here, you need to have Premier League experience.
“Even if the English league is becoming more continental, the crosses and the aggression you face especially in the air are still an important part of the game. I think you need a tall goalkeeper, someone above 1,90m. That’s the true challenge for Steve (who measures 1,85m).”
The former Chelsea goalkeeping coach also made it clear the Welsh goalkeeper won’t be easy to displace, especially after his Euros performances, and Mandanda could struggle to get game time
Lollichon added: “A Premier League goalkeeper needs to be tall, intelligent, capable of playing with his feet and be decisive on set-pieces. Casillas would’ve never established himself in England. Even Neuer would struggle. It just goes to show that quality and status aren’t always the key to play here (in England).”
Just ask Joe Hart…
After all, it’s only the first game of the season and you can maybe forgive Pardew for wanting his new signing to be fully ready before handing him his debut.
If we get to mid-September and there’s still no sign of the Frenchman, maybe then it’ll be time to worry.
