The thing I can see potentially ruling out city is the number of games and extra travelling. He turned down England again a few years back because he would just rather have the time off to be with his family etc rather than travelling away with England to never even play. City generally play a lot of games with a lot of travel, so would he really want that?
Is it farcical? There were very definitely signs in Foster’s game that the concentration levels weren’t always there an increasing amount. I like Foster. But I’m not utterly convinced his competitive nature is what it should be anymore.
I’ve only skim read the comments above but the suggestion seems to be he’d be number 2? I found that hard to believe to be honest, he can’t play on the floor so don’t know how that would work, so if he’d actually be more like a number 4, then no he probably wouldn’t travel to a lot of games.
I wouldn't be overly fussed if he goes, been a good servant overall but he's best days are clearly behind him at this point. We will need someone to come in who is directly competing to start though. Not convinced Bachmann is going to be good enough.
No way I'd want Foster to leave this summer. In 2019/20 in the Prem he was being hailed as the best English keeper bar none, and this season there's nothing to me to say he's on a general decline (just the odd mistake which has always been in Ben). I'd like a year of genuine competition for the #1 jersey next season between Bachmann and Foster, selecting on form. Bachmann has been great in the Championship, with a strong defence in front of him - and I hope he can carry that up a level, but I'd want Foster as an option as well.
Bachmann has played 22 games and I can't remember an absolute howler that led to a goal. There are a few where he could've maybe done better (Bournemouth away, trying to rectify the Lazaar backpass at Luton) but no show stopping errors. Foster also had these 'could do better' moments (weak punch at home to Bournemouth, not claiming the cross at Swansea) but has also did have a couple of howlers - giving the ball to Huddersfield to score and being beaten by a 30 yard header. Bachmann has been a better keeper this season and should remain ahead of Foster in the pecking order until he does something wrong.
I think some people don't rate Bachmann because of how good he is, in a weird way. The best goalkeepers rarely make camera saves because they're normally in the right position to start with. Bachmann doesn't ever really make worldie saves, so I think people don't think he's as good as Foster, but he's solid. I guess a bit like Seaman back in the day, wouldn't make loads of camera saves, but rarely made a mistake.
If we got decent cash for him which we could put towards a younger keeper then fine. But can’t see the Keeper position being a priority to spend our limited budget
To be fair him starting has coincided with the defence really stepping up. He has been very consistent and done what we would expect. The hard shot a few games ago was best save as at end of game, was low and he held it whilst most would have just tried to block it. only mistake was against Luton. Although you can blame defender he also made a stupid decision
Tbf, the defence that Foster had for most of his spell in the first team was solid too, even if the mindset was more cautious. Bachmann has had Sierralta for nearly every game he's played in (apart from, very ironically, the game against the best set piece takers we've played against this season lol), but WTE, Cathcart, Kabasele and Wilmot are no slouches at this level
If Bachmann can be this good after a career of only youth football, training and one loan spell at Kilmarnock, he will be a fantastic keeper after playing consistently. Seem to recall he kept clean sheets in half of his games at Killie as well? Going back to Foster now would be a bit like Arsenal did going back to Leno, despite Emiliano Martinez proving he is better.
Goalkeeper is the last position I'd be looking to upgrade. More than good enough with the three we have. Elliott should get an extension if need so.
