The West Ham United shot-stopper is keeping Sheffield Wednesday’s Westwood at bay.
Sheffield Wednesday’s goalkeeping coach has questioned Darren Randolph’s position as Republic of Ireland number one.
The West Ham United shot-stopper seized Rob Elliot’s place – ahead of Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood – after the Newcastle United player suffered a cruciate ligament injury in March 2016.
Republic of Ireland’s Darren Randolph fumbles the ball
And despite establishing himself as one of the Championship’s best goalkeepers since moving to Hillsborough three years ago, Westwood has featured just once for his country in Elliot’s absence.
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Randolph, meanwhile, remained the Hammers’ second choice until late last year. And despite admitting the 29-year-old is a ‘terrific goalkeeper’, Wednesday’s Andy Rhodes cannot understand why Westwood hasn’t had more opportunities for Ireland.
“I’m surprised Keiren hasn’t featured more internationally. He has done really well for us,” Rhodes told the Sheffield Star.
“Darren Randolph played in the summer and is a terrific goalkeeper. He is a very talented boy. Is he better than Keiren? That’s up for debate. I have got my own opinions on that.”
Sheffield Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood makes a save
Despite playing 13 times in this season’s Premier League, Randolph has only appeared once more in England’s top flight than Westwood, who spent three years on Sunderland’s books.
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West Ham have been strongly linked with a summer move for Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart, whose arrival would surely threaten Randolph’s position at the London Stadium.
Is the West Ham ‘keeper better than Sheffield Wednesday’s?
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