Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has admitted that he ‘can’t fully focus’ on the game during the course of the 90 minutes, as he told his press conference.
On Monday, Ramsdale made his England debut in a 10-0 win against San Marino, where he shared that he spoke to the ball boy during the match in order to keep himself ticking over.
The big-money Arsenal signing has been in outstanding form for his club side this season and earned that shot for his country.
Whilst Jordan Pickford is England’s outstanding number one, the Everton man is now getting serious competition from North London.
Nonetheless, life for a goalkeeper can be pretty lonely, especially if there is hardly any action at their end.
That was the case with Ramsdale on Monday night, as he openly spoke about struggling with his concentration levels.
“After the second goal, which H (Harry Kane) scored the ball boy asked for my shirt,” said Ramsdale.
“So, I just told him it’s my debut and I was going to keep it, unfortunately.
“The concentration, that helps me. I can’t fully focus on the game for 90 minutes, so I just keep myself ticking over by other things.”
Well, however, Ramsdale prepares, it’s working a treat, at the moment, because he is probably the form keeper in the Premier League.
There was a lot of talk surrounding his £24 million transfer from Sheffield United in the summer (The Athletic) – and a number of fans were questioning the call to bring him in.
But it’s fair to say that in, next to no time, he has answered those critics with his performances in between the sticks.
Not only that, he has become a fan favourite in North London and his stock is only rising.
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