Craig Burley has claimed that goalkeeper Matt Turner hasn’t progressed since moving to Arsenal after it was suggested by USA coach, Gregg Berhalter, as he told ESPN.
The USA-based pundit and former Scotland international questioned how Turner, who is back-up to Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal, has progressed given that ‘he has been sat on his backside’ this season.
The 28-year-old moved to the Premier League from MLS side New England Revolution in the summer and he is expected to don the number one colours for the USA at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It shows the strength of England’s goalkeeping department that Ramsdale is seen as a back-up, yet Turner is the number one for his country, but Burley wasn’t buying this suggestion about the player progressing.
“It was Gregg Berhalter, some people pick up on it and some don’t,” said Burley. “He was talking about Matt Turner and how he’s really progressed in the last six months.
“I mean, who is buying that? Matt Turner has been a really good goalkeeper at New England Revolution. Coached by one of my best friends, Kevin Hitchcock.
“But he has got his move to Arsenal and he hasn’t played because of Aaron Ramsdale. How do you progress when you are sitting on the bench 99% of the time?
“Please don’t tell us he has progressed in the last six months. He has progressed over the last two or three years to where he is now and then getting a move to Arsenal. But not in the last six months because he has been sat on his backside.”
ELITE ENVIRONMENT FOR TURNER
Training for a top Premier League side, alongside an elite goalkeeper, coaches and training facilities can help you progress, especially given the environment he has come from.
There’s nothing like progressing out on the pitch and those lack of minutes this season could prove to be costly for Turner during these coming weeks.
The US are in the same group as England, but they will start off their campaign against Wales, with the winner possibly backing themselves to progress through to the knockout stages alongside Gareth Southgate’s side.
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