Wales boss Chris Coleman has tough choices to make regarding his goalkeepers, with Preston stopper Maxwell yet to feature for his nation.
Wales boss Chris Coleman names his squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers, but he has a selection headache over what goalkeepers should be in his squad.
Wales are currently third in Group D four points behind Serbia and Republic of Ireland with no margin for error ahead of the games against Austria and Moldova if they are to qualify for Russia 2018.
Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward and Owain Fon Williams have been Coleman’s regular picks for the goalkeeping positions for the last few years, but all three have faced difficulties this summer.
Wayne Hennessey of Crystal Palace
Hennessey faces an uncertain future as first-choice goalkeeper at Crystal Palace with the club reportedly looking for a new No.1 goalkeeper before the close of the transfer window.
The 30-year-old has conceded four goals in his opening two Premier League games and were he to lose his spot in the Palace side, the question whether he should remain Wales’ first-choice goalkeeper as the World Cup qualifying campaign reaches a crucial junction.
Wales’ No.2 goalkeeper Danny Ward currently finds himself in limbo after a successful spell out on loan at Huddersfield Town last season.
Ward is currently third-choice goalkeeper at Liverpool and with Jurgen Klopp insistent that he needs three goalkeepers around Anfield this season Ward could find himself sitting on the sidelines behind Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius with only Under-23s football giving him regular action.
Wales’ third goalkeeper Fon Williams is currently plying his trade for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Championship after the club got relegated last season.
Fon Williams has not played for Inverness this season and is currently third-choice keeper behind Mark Ridgers and Ryan Esson at the Highlands club.
All in all it leaves Coleman with a serious selection dilemma if two of his regular goalkeepers are not playing this season, while doubts surround the future of his No.1 keeper at club level.
Preston’s Chris Maxwell
If Coleman was picking players on form and not reputation Preston North End’s Chris Maxwell would be a worthy contender for a place in the squad.
Maxwell, who has represented Wales at every level from under-17 to under-21, has yet to make his debut for the senior team, but his form at Preston means he surely must be in Coleman’s thoughts.
The 27-year-old is renowned for his agility and shot stopping as well as his ability to communicate with his defence and also play out from the back as he is comfortable with the ball at his feet and he claimed 11 more crosses than any other goalkeeper in the Championship last season.
Maxwell has kept three clean sheets in four Championship games for Preston this season with the only goal he has conceded coming from the penalty spot in defeat to Derby.
Coleman’s goalkeeping options:
Wayne Hennessey – age 30, 68 caps, uncertain future at Crystal Palace as they target a new No.1 keeper
Danny Ward – age 24, 3 caps, currently third-choice at Liverpool and may only play U23s football this season
Owain Fon Williams – age 30, 1 cap, playing in Scotland’s second tier and is currently third-choice goalkeeper
Chris Maxwell – age 27, 0 caps, excelled for Preston since joining in the summer of 2016, one of best goalkeepers outside Premier League.
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