Joel Robles is proof that patience can pay in a bid to make his mark on the Everton first team
In France, youngsters have an idiom when it comes to changing goalkeepers, “It’s your turn to go in the middle of the woods.”
It’s a sentiment backed up by Nobel Prize-winning writer, journalist and philosopher, Albert Camus – himself a goalkeeper for his university side in Algeria – who once wrote, “It’s when you’re in the middle of the woods you realise how difficult it is.”
To be between the sticks, those without thick skin, self confidence and mental strength need not apply.
Since arriving at Goodison Park three-and-a-half years ago, Joel Robles has demonstrated all three in abundance, competing with USA veteran Tim Howard and World Cup finalist Maarten Stekelenburg for a starting spot in goal. Before that, he had to contend with David De Gea and Thibaut Courtois during his time in Spain.
But patience can pay off. Robles enjoyed a productive Christmas and New Year period for the Blues, stepping in for the injured Stekelenburg and helping the Club to seven points from a possible nine in the first three games he started. That run also included two clean sheets, as well as an assist for Kevin Mirallas in the 2-0 away win over Leicester City, making Joel the 50th custodian in Premier League history to lay on a goal for a teammate.
“Clean sheets are important for every goalkeeper and the assist was also nice, but they are not the most important thing for me,” Joel insists, with an admirable degree of modesty. “Sometimes in games, as a goalkeeper, you can go through long spells having not much to do. It can be calm and quiet, but you always need to be ready for the next action because it can happen so quickly. Often, you may only deal with three, four or five actions - but it’s up to you be alert and ready for that situation.
This story is from the January 2016-17 edition of Everton Magazine.
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This story is from the January 2016-17 edition of Everton Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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