Roberto Martinez has defended Newcastle goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has told RTBF that Newcastle’s Matz Sels ‘did not become bad overnight’ having been frozen out in recent months.
Sels, 25, joined Newcastle from Gent in his native Belgium last summer, and started the season as Rafael Benitez’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Karl Darlow.
However, following some costly errors, Sels was dropped in favour of Darlow after a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa in September – and he hasn’t started another league game since.
Sels has been limited to just five appearances since that Villa game, and they have all come in cup competitions, with the shot stopper struggling for first-team football at St. James’ Park – and some believe he may have to leave this summer in order to play.
Surprisingly though, Sels has managed to keep his place in the Belgian national team, with manager Roberto Martinez taking the bizarre decision to name four goalkeepers in his squad to face Greece and Russia.
Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet and Wolfsburg’s Koen Casteels are all in the squad, with the latter now battling Sels for the third-choice goalkeeper spot in Martinez’s squad.
Newcastle United’s Matz Sels
Now, ahead of those games against Greece and Russia, former Everton boss Martinez has commented on Sels’ situation, suggesting that the goalkeeper simply didn’t become ‘bad’ overnight.
Speaking to RTBF, Martinez noted that Sels’ behaviour is ‘impeccable’ at Newcastle, but the third goalkeeper position must be looked at as Casteels pushes to claim his place ahead of the Magpies misfit.
“We must also look at the position of third goalkeeper,” said Martinez. “Sels is no longer included in Newcastle. Matz did not become bad overnight and his behaviour at his club is impeccable,” he added.
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