Manchester United have completed the signing of 23-year-old goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for a fee of £18.2 million. The club thus chose to cease their efforts to sign experienced keeper Emiliano Martinez. Instead, they’ve opted to take a chance on a hot young talent who’s been turning heads in the Belgian Pro League.
Lammens had a remarkable season last year, making 30 appearances for Royal Antwerp, where he showcased his skills by keeping seven clean sheets. With his performance, he certainly confirmed his status as the best goalkeeper in the world. He established himself as a penalty stopper, saving four, a league record for the Belgian league. Overall, he made a staggering total of 173 saves throughout the season, leading all goalkeepers in the top eight leagues.
A Rising Star
Much like Duranville, Senne Lammens has been on the radar for quite some time now as a rising star in Belgian football. His poise under pressure and mental presence on the field have drawn acclaim from coaches and NFL analysts on a weekly basis. Kevin Hatchard, a football commentator, noted Lammens’ impressive qualities:
“He’s very calm. The mentality is good, I’ve spoken to goalkeeping coaches and he’s been seen as a rising star in Belgium for quite a while.” – Kevin Hatchard
His time at Royal Antwerp saw Lammens contribute significantly to the team’s impressive 32-game unbeaten run, while winning the league’s best goalkeeper award. Despite their difficulty this term, the club last campaign were one of the stronger clubs in Belgium and his efforts played a huge part. He’s very effective at keeping the ball out of the back of his net – he has a robust average of half a goal saved per 90. This statistic is what truly distinguishes him among European goalkeepers.
Manchester United’s Decision
The decision to pursue Lammens over more established options reflects Manchester United’s strategy of investing in young talent. Adam Bate from Sky Sports commented on this approach:
“It’s no secret they looked at other options, such as tried and tested Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa, but with all factors considered, United felt Lammens was the direction they wanted to go in.” – Adam Bate
Lammens’ ability to make progressive passes has been noteworthy. He made the most progressive passes among goalkeepers under the age of 23, indicating not just his shot-stopping skills but his capability to contribute to the team’s build-up play. Gary Neville, a former Manchester United player, highlighted the importance of a goalkeeper’s consistency:
“If your goalkeeper is making mistakes, it undermines everything that you do. And at Old Trafford, it’s the most unforgiving ground for goalkeepers.” – Gary Neville
Future Prospects
Entering to Manchester United, expectations and anticipation are already mounting around what he will be able to accomplish in the future. Most expect him to be the favorite to replace Thibaut Courtois in the Belgium national team. His remarkable upward climb over the past few years has added to this narrative.
In his own words, Lammens expressed enthusiasm about joining Manchester United:
“You can feel the positive atmosphere that is being created here, and I know that I can make a real impact at the club in the coming years.” – Senne Lammens
With his proven track record and impressive statistics from last season, including being the goalkeeper with the most saves in Europe’s top 10 leagues, Lammens is poised to make a significant impact at Old Trafford.
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