Middlesbrough goalkeeper Victor Valdes names his 'spectacular' all-time Premier League idol

When discussing the greatest goalkeepers in English football history, Peter Schmeichel's name is never far from the top.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Victor Valdes has told the club’s official website that Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel is his all-time Premier League idol.

The Great Dane won five domestic titles during a legendary eight year spell at Old Trafford, while his stunning reflex save to deny Newcastle United’s Les Ferdinand in 1997 was voted the greatest save in the competitions first decade in the illustrious Premier League 10 Seasons awards (below).

Consequently, he appeared irreplaceable after departing for Sporting Lisbon in 1999 season, with Mark Bosnich, Fabien Barthez and Tim Howard all failing to fill the huge, Schmeichel-shaped void in United’s goal before Edwin Van Der Sar arrived to begin his own legacy.

And Valdes, who endured a comparatively miserable stint at Old Trafford under Louis Van Gaal, has named the 1992 European Champion as his all-time favourite.

“I was always watching Peter Schmeichel,” the former Barcelona shot-stopper told the club’s official website. “Because he was always making very spectacular and amazing saves.”

Valdes also insisted that the three main attributes needed to become a successful goalkeeper are character, power and calmness.

While Schmeichel possessed the first two by the bucketload, his deafened defenders may have something to say about the latter.

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Tim Howard earns clean sheet in Colorado Rapids debut

Tim Howard is back in MLS, making his debut for the Colorado Rapids Monday night to mark his official return after spending more than a decade abroad in the Premier League.

Howard did his part in what ended as a scoreless draw for the Rapids against the Portland Timbers, making two saves for Colorado.

Howard, now 37, left MLS and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) in 2003 for Manchester United. He then embarked on 10 years with Everton, where he became etched in the club's fabric. After an emotional farewell to the club, in which he earned a clean sheet in his final start at Goodison Park, he joined the U.S. for Copa America Centenario, where he backed up Brad Guzan save for the third-place match against Colombia.

He's the highest-paid goalkeeper in MLS by far, making $2,575,000 in guaranteed compensation, according to the most recent MLS Players Union documents, and he'll be looked upon to maintain his high standard of play for the Rapids, who sat atop the MLS Western Conference standings with 32 points through 16 games entering Monday.

Tim Howard assures Everton fans they will work to fix issues

The Blues currently sit 11th in the table after another disappointing campaign.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has assured the club’s fans that they will be working to fix their problems this season, in comments to Sky Sports.

The Blues have endured a disappointing season this year, as they sit 11th in the Premier League table and unlikely to finish in the top half of the table.

The criticism has largely been aimed at manager Roberto Martinez, who many believe should be replaced at Goodison Park.

While he must take some of the blame, the players must also take responsibility, as some have not performed to the best of their abilities.

Saturday afternoon saw them return to winning form against Bournemouth and Howard says they are working hard to ensure they get it right in the games remaining.

"One thing I can assure everyone is we are going to work and we try our tails off to win football matches, no-one chucks it in,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think as senior players you try to protect the younger ones because they've not seen it before but I'm an old dog and I've seen it all before.”

"No criticism fazes me; not from the media, outside sources or social media. It is just words. We have to go to work every day and try to get it right.”

Even if Everton do enjoy a winning end to what has been a disappointing campaign, the pressure is likely to remain on Roberto Martinez.

After a strong first season in charge, the last two years have been far from impressive and worryingly, several of the clubs’ stars do not seem to be progressing.

That is the view that the Everton faithful are taking, and they are likely to keep calling for change in future.

Should Roberto Martinez be sacked at Everton?

Tim Howard Would Be an Unnecessary Signing for the Colorado Rapids

Everton and U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Tim Howard are nearing a deal with the Colorado Rapids, per Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC.

Despite his recent struggles in the Premier League, Howard would instantly become one of MLS' top shot-stoppers. However, this is still a curious move by the Rapids.

Colorado finished last in Major League Soccer's Western Conference in 2015, although the Rapids defense was formidable. They conceded 43 goals, which was less than Sporting Kansas City and the LA Galaxy, who both made the playoffs.

This still did not stop the Rapids from trading goalkeeper Clint Irwin toToronto FC. Defender Drew Moor also joined TFC via free agency. Both players were defensive pillars for the past few seasons.

Those two departures weren't even Colorado's strangest decisions. Homegrown defender Shane O'Neill was sold last August.

Deshorn Brown, who led the Rapids in goalscoring in 2013 and 2014, transferred to Norwegian club Valerenga in March 2015. He scored 20 goals over those two seasons. The Rapids finished the 2015 campaign with 33.

The likes of Kevin Doyle and Luis Solignac arrived last summer to provide a scoring boost, but it wasn't enough.

The Rapids were a playoff team under ex-head coach Oscar Pareja in 2013. They were a young and exciting side with a real future. Nearly three years later, there is no identity and Dick's Sporting Goods Park is virtually empty.

Colorado's average attendance was the lowest in MLS last season, per Paul Kennedy of Soccer America. The number increased from 2014, but it still wasn't sufficient enough to surpass the Chicago Fire.

This is why the Rapids are trying to sign a marquee player.

Colorado was reportedly interested in United States international Alejandro Bedoya and Mexican forward Alan Pulido, according to Goal.com's Ives Galarcep.

However, Bedoya rejected a return to MLS, and Pulido ruled out a transfer to the U.S., per Mexico-based radio station RG 690 (via Mexican soccer journalist Eric Gomez):

Bedoya and Pulido would have been perfect signings for a dull and listless Colorado attack. The Rapids have since acquired Marco Pappa, Zach Pfeffer and Shkelzen Gashi, which should stimulate the offense.

However, the Rapids are still scrambling to sign a big-name star to attract fans to the stadium.

According to Carlisle, Howard will be paid $2 million a year, which would make him one of the 15 highest-paid MLS players. Colorado also has to pay Everton a fee between $600,000 and $750,000.

Considering the Rapids had Irwin, who is a more-than-capable goalkeeper, this just makes the Howard chase all the more peculiar.

The investment may pay off for the Rapids if this fills the stadium. However, if the team continues to struggle on the field, the fans will likely not show up.

This is not a slight on Howard. His relationship with Everton is waning, and his agility is lacking these days, but the American is still a quality goalkeeper who would excel in MLS.

The main issue is the Rapids addressing a problem they did not have, even after they traded Irwin.

Zac MacMath is a solid young goalkeeper who is a formidable starter. The 24-year-old faced as many shots (125) as Irwin in 2014 and made more saves (77) in 2014, per the official MLS website.

Colorado traded Marcelo Sarvas to D.C. United, even though the Rapids desperately need a quality deep-lying midfielder.

Pappa, Pfeffer, Dillon Serna and Dillon Powers are all attack-minded players. Meanwhile, the likes of Jared Watts and Sam Cronin pale in comparison to Sarvas. This is where Colorado should spend the money, not on a 36-year-old goalkeeper.

Winning is the ultimate formula to fan popularity. The only way of ensuring a successful product on the field is by addressing the team's weaknesses. Goalkeeper is not one of them.

Kasey Keller comments on Tim Howard's potential Columbus Crew switch

The Everton goalkeeper is being linked with a MLS switch this summer.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has had a tough season. The American international was in poor form throughout the campaign and that has seen him lose his place in the Everton first-team to Spaniard Joel Robles.

Howard is therefore being linked with a move back to America. MLS side Columbus Crew have been heavily linked with a move for the player next season - with Howard being a major coup for a side Stateside.

Now a former Premier League and USA international goalie has been having his say on this potential move.

Kasey Keller, who played for Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City in his professional career,told the Denver Post this week:

"He'll be the best goalkeeper in MLS. No question.

"He'll be very effective.

"So much of goalkeeping as you get older is kind of how you read the game, how you organize in front of you, and Tim's extremely fit and really hasn't had any major injuries."



He went on to discuss the likeliness of a move, suggesting what Howard had told him about the potential move:

"The last conversations I had with Tim, he was just looking for what felt right at the time.

"If it's right to move back to MLS and the money's right and the situation's right, then cool. If it's not, he's got two years left on his contract. So he's in the driving seat a little bit."

It is looking likely that Everton will move for a new goalkeeper in the summer and Howard's future does appear to be in doubt considering his advancing years and poor form.

It may very well be that his best option is to head back to America and Keller is clearly certain that he would be a hit in MLS.

Would Howard be right to make the move this summer?

Kasey Keller: Rapids netting Tim Howard would be coup

Former U.S. National Team goalkeeper says Tim Howard can still be very effective at his age

COMMERCE CITY — If anyone knows goalkeeping, it's Kasey Keller.

The former U.S. national team top goalie was on four World Cup teams and was the first American keeper to start regularly in the best leagues in England, Spain and Germany. Keller finished his career in MLS with the Seattle Sounders, returning in 2009 at age 39 and playing three seasons.

Now an MLS analyst, Keller believes that Tim Howard, at 37, has plenty left in the tank and would make a huge difference for the Colorado Rapids if his reported transfer from Everton becomes official.

"He'll be the best goalkeeper in MLS," Keller told The Denver Post. "No question."

Howard took over for Keller in 2007 as the first-choice U.S. goalkeeper and has since surpassed him for most appearances (106) by a U.S. national team goalie. Howard has been linked with the Rapids since January when Colorado acquired the top spot in the league's player allocation ranking, giving the Rapids first crack at his MLS rights. ESPN reported last month that Howard was on the brink of joining Colorado on a contract that would pay him $2 million annually through 2019.

The Rapids and Howard's agent have declined to comment.

"He'll be very effective," Keller said. "So much of goalkeeping as you get older is kind of how you read the game, how you organize in front of you, and Tim's extremely fit and really hasn't had any major injuries."

Keller said Howard has mentored younger keepers on the U.S. national team and would be a great teacher for the young goalies on the Rapids' roster.

"He would come in with a tremendous attitude," Keller said. "There's no big ego."

Keller said Colorado's young players would really listen to an experienced field general such as Howard.

"If Tim can move a player three yards before a play starts, he doesn't have to make a save because that player is already in a good position," Keller said. "Those little, simple things — which are difficult to see throughout a season — could be the difference between a team conceding 10 extra goals."

Add to the equation Howard's ability as a shot-stopper and he would be far and away on the positive side of the saves-to-mistakes ratio, Keller said.

Last week, Rapids vice president of soccer operations Paul Bravo said the club was close to adding another impact player to their roster.

"The last conversations I had with Tim, he was just looking for what felt right at the time," Keller said. "If it's right to move back to MLS and the money's right and the situation's right, then cool. If it's not, he's got two years left on his contract. So he's in the driving seat a little bit."