Clemence rejects Almunia aim

Goalkeeping coach unconcerned by talk of a shot-stopping crisis

Last updated: 7th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Clemence rejects Almunia aim

Almunia: Would consider Three Lions

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence insists England are not suffering a shot-stopping crisis and that they do not need Manuel Almunia.

Pamplona-born Almunia qualifies for British citizenship because of his English wife, and the Spaniard has previously admitted that he would consider an international career with the Three Lions.

However, Clemence insists that there is no need for England boss Fabio Capello - who currently has 38-year-old David James as his current first choice - to turn to the Arsenal No.1.

And former Tottenham and Liverpool custodian Clemence has pointed to the talents of Manchester City keeper Joe Hart and West Brom's Scott Carson as reasons for optimism between England's sticks.

"I'm sure he would be happy to play for England but he can't get in the Spain squad," Clemence said in The Sun when asked about Almunia.

"I'm all for English goalkeepers in the England team.

"People have been saying to me for a number of years that the English goalkeeping scene is in crisis. But we are heading in the right direction.

"We've got some promising young lads in Joe Hart, who is playing well for Manchester City, and West Brom's Scott Carson, who is coming back to the form we all know he can produce."

Click Here for Your Free Bet