Chris Wilder has stated that Aaron Ramsdale’s transfer to Arsenal this summer didn’t surprise him, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
The former Premier League boss claimed that Arsenal’s new boy is ‘highly-rated’ by those in the national set-up and he is ‘comfortable’ in playing out from the back.
During the summer of 2020, Wilder brought Ramsdale to Sheffield United for a fee of £18.5 million (BBC Sport) and he endured a campaign to forget because he suffered relegation – 12 months after doing so with Bournemouth.
But that didn’t stop Arsenal from putting big-money on the table for the player, despite his recent record.
Wilder was full of praise for the player after managing him for a 12 month period and spoke about his ‘personality and confidence’.
“No (the move didn’t surprise me), he had a difficult first period,” said Wilder. “I think one of the qualities he has got is that, from a mentality point of view, which all them top goalkeepers will need to have, he has that.
“Personality and confidence. He was hurting because he wanted to come back and do well, but of course, the team didn’t do well as we all would have wanted it to have done.
“But I think him getting off the canvas, as it was. His performances improving as the season went on. Getting involved in England as well.
“Highly-respected and highly-rated by the national side. He’s obviously mentally tough and he has that in the locker – He is comfortable with the ball at his feet.”
Life has started in a bright fashion for Ramsdale in North London because he has kept three clean sheets in three matches in all competitions.
Over the weekend, he produced a top-quality display as Leeds secured a 1-0 win against Burnley, but now the big tests awaits him and his players.
It’s Tottenham on the horizon this Sunday and if Ramsdale can produce the goods again then his stock will rise.
A lot was said about his transfer and why Mikel Arteta wanted to bring in a player that had suffered two relegations on the bounce.
But, so far, he is proving his worth, although, there is still a long way to go yet.
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