Alex McCarthy produced a sensational performance for Southampton at the weekend, proving why he is the club’s number one goalkeeper.
The Englishman was at fault for one of the goals against West Ham last weekend, but bounced back with a terrific display to show what he is capable of between the sticks.
McCarthy saved a penalty from Matt Ritchie and made a host of other excellent saves throughout the match to keep Newcastle at bay. Despite being beaten by Allan Saint-Maximin for the winner late on, McCarthy was virtually faultless in his performance.
His performance, in this game and throughout the season, could make Ralph Hasenhuttl’s decision over Fraser Forster’s future in the summer quite simple. Forster is currently on loan at Celtic and due to return to Southampton, as it stands, in the summer.
Once he returns, Southampton will have Alex McCarthy, Angus Gunn and Fraser Forster on their books – all English international goalkeepers who will be desperate to be the number one. With McCarthy producing quality displays and Gunn only being 24, it could make sense for the club to allow Forster to leave the club – whether that be on loan or otherwise.
Forster is also 31 and does not have as much time ahead of him to develop and progress as Gunn. He might not want to waste time sitting on the bench watching McCarthy start as the club’s number one, whereas Gunn – who is very young – could still benefit from being McCarthy’s understudy and learning from him.
This means that it could be best for the club to let Forster go, due to his age and the competition for places between the sticks at Southampton heading into the 2020/21 campaign.
