One of the most underrated ‘keepers in the division, Barnsley have benefited immensley from Everton releasing the 24-year-old.
If one player best epitomises Barnsley’s first season back in the second tier, it’s goalkeeper Adam Davies.
The 24-year-old, like his club, has performed steadily throughout the season while being denied mainstream praise or column inches. The likes of Kieran Westwood, David Stockdale and Karl Darlow are often central to any debate concerning the finest shot-stopper in the division, though Davies is usually conspicuous by his absence.
However, signed from Sheffield Wednesday without making a single appearance, Davies represents yet another victory for Barnsley’s esteemed scouting department. In the opinion of those in the know, it’s nothing short of ridiculous that the goalkeeper was omitted from Chris Coleman’s recent Wales squad.
While clean-sheet earning performances against the likes of Burton Albion and Reading will stick in the mind, Huddersfield Town supporters still wake up in cold sweats with Davies’ lightning reflexes burned into their brains. His performance in the 1-1 draw against The Terriers at Oakwell last month was without doubt one of the finest goalkeeping performances of the season.
Furthermore, at the age of 24, he has plenty of time ahead of him. Davies can only get better. And, when he does, you wonder whether Everton will regret releasing him back in the summer of 2014, as reported by The Star.
With question marks over the future of Joel Robles and with Maarten Stekelenburg (below) seemingly making one mistake too many, the lack of a dependable, top quality goalkeeper may be Everton’s biggest concern going into the transfer market this summer.
It is probably too soon for Davies to earn a move to the Premier League, not to mention an Everton side with genuine Champions League ambitions. But, if he keeps improving, who’s to say his performances won’t one day warrant a return to Goodison Park.
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