Ronald Koeman described it as the game of Maarten Stekelenburg’s life but the occasion passed without ceremony at Everton. “Phil [Jagielka] said thank you but I am still waiting for dinner,” the Holland goalkeeper says, though he will not pursue an invitation. Repaying his manager’s faith is sufficient reward.
Two penalty saves from Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Agüero – both conceded by Jagielka – plus outstanding stops in open play from the Manchester City pair earned Everton a point and Stekelenburg the plaudits at the Etihad Stadium last weekend. It was only the eighth time a goalkeeper has saved two spot-kicks in a Premier League game and a first in Stekelenburg’s career, schooldays included, but he rates the final fingertip save from De Bruyne’s swerving drive as the highlight.
“It was the moment in the game that makes it important,” he says. “If you make that save at 4-0 down it is different but we got a point, or maybe next time you win the game, and that makes the moment more special. David de Gea’s save [for Manchester United against Philippe Coutinho on Monday] helped get a clean sheet and a point at Liverpool. These things have more impact than the save itself.
“Now I must focus on my game and my part against Burnley. If I make a mistake there and we lose the game the world is different. That’s the job we have. One game you are the hero and the following game maybe you’re the worst keeper they ever had. That’s the way it is.”
It sounds a cold and brutal take on the goalkeeper’s life but, at 34 and after a turbulent few seasons, Stekelenburg is qualified to voice one. The Dutchman’s denial of City came five days after he was criticised for failing to prevent Paul Pogba giving France victory in a World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam. Stekelenburg, who had a decent game until Pogba struck from distance, has only recently returned to the international scene after a four-year absence. He went from starting the 2010 World Cup final to being blanked at Fulham by Felix Magath inside four seasons. Only now, thanks to answering Koeman’s calls to join him at Southampton and Everton, does he sense a career back on course.
“After the World Cup I stayed one year in Ajax and we became champions for the first time in eight years. Then I decided I wanted to leave to see something else and try a different league. I chose to go to Roma and had a good first year. Then there was a manager switch [Zdenek Zeman replaced Luis Enrique]. That kind of thing happens. The transfer window closed so I had to finish the season. I wanted to play in the Premier League and Fulham gave me that opportunity but just like happened in Rome the manager [René Meulensteen] got fired.
“The coach, Felix Magath – I don’t have to talk too much about Felix Magath. Let us say we were not friends. That happens in football. It is bad luck as well. I had to find a way out. I went to Monaco and had a good year. I stayed fit and became stronger and then Ronald gave me a call when Fraser Forster was injured and I played a lot of games last year. Then Ronald asked me to come here. I have known him since Ajax and I really like him as a manager. It is always nice to have a coach who believes in you but you have to show it every day otherwise if you don’t do your job I wouldn’t be here.”
Stekelenburg arrived on a nominal fee from Fulham in the summer and, despite Koeman initially seeking another keeper for first choice and being frequently linked with Joe Hart, the Everton manager said this week it is no longer a transfer priority for January. Everton’s No1 credits stability with his impact at Goodison Park.
“I moved five times in six years. When you have kids that is difficult,” he says. “I have signed a three-year contract here and hopefully I can stay for a long time for my family but also for me as a No1. The moves have an impact but I signed a four-year deal with Fulham only to spend the second and third years on loan. I was hoping they would let me go this year but then you have to make a decision. It is not that you can choose between 10 clubs. I am just thankful I signed three years here and I don’t have to move next year.”
But what of those penalty saves against the league leaders last Saturday? Any advice for aspiring young goalkeepers? “Wait as long as possible – that’s what I do,” Stekelenburg says. “You don’t want to make it too easy for the taker. Almost all goalkeepers will agree with me that if you go too early you make it easy. If you go too early they will just pass it to the other side. You need luck as well. You can go to the right corner but if it is taken with speed and it’s good then you don’t have a chance. I was practising penalties with Rom [Lukaku] today. It didn’t go very well for him!”
