A list of goalkeepers Birmingham City can sign to replace Etheridge – and possibly Ruddy

Birmingham City’s goalkeeping department needs surgery this summer. Both of the club’s goalkeepers, John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge, have reached the end of their contracts and the latter has already been released.

The Blues have offered Ruddy, who has been number one for the past two seasons, a new deal along with veteran striker Lukas Jutkiewicz. But there are no guarantees that Ruddy will be relegated to League One.

If the Blues intend to play a more expansive, possession-based brand of football, then signing a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet is a top priority. Every team that successfully plays the style the Blues strive for has a goalkeeper capable of starting attacks.

But which goalkeepers are a good fit? Here are five who could give the Blues’ goalkeeping department a new look for League One.

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Sam Tickle

Few goalkeepers performed better in League One last season than Wigan Athletic’s Sam Tickle. The 22-year-old has been an ever-present for 12th-placed Wigan, keeping a creditable 14 clean sheets.

According to FBREF, Tickle saved 137 of the 188 shots on goal he faced in the final quarter, giving him a 72.9 save percentage – a stat bettered by only four goaltenders in the league. Tickle is a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet in a Latics team that likes to dominate possession. Tickle boasted a 62.2% pass rate in league matches.

Lukas Jensen

The goalkeeper with the highest save percentage in League One last season – 78 per cent – is Lincoln City’s Jensen. He also kept the most clean sheets in the league and was the last line of the second-best defense in the third tier.

The only thing that could count against the 25-year-old Jensen is that Lincoln’s counter-attacking style did not allow him to demonstrate his skills on the ball. Although there is time for the 6ft 5in Dane to develop that skill.

Ben Wilson

At 31, Wilson is the only goaltender on this list in his thirties. However, this is not old in goalkeeper terms and Wilson was Coventry’s number one in 2022/23 when they reached the Championship play-off final.

Brad Collins replaced him between the sticks last season and Wilson could be looking for a new challenge this summer. The Blues cannot fill their goalkeeper jerseys with youngsters and Wilson would bring valuable experience.

Joe Wildsmith

Now for the man who was statistically the best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 last season. Wildsmith kept the most clean sheets for Derby County – 20 in 40 appearances – and conceded the fewest goals (37).

The 28-year-old was a surprise name on the list released by Derby, meaning he is available on a free transfer. Wildsmith is the right age and has good experience in League One and the Championship.

Jackson Smith

Clubs will be circling Smith this summer, with his contract at League Two side Walsall due to expire. The 22-year-old joined the Saddlers last year to play as understudy to Owen Evans, but has ended up looking to his goalkeeping rival to take over the number one duties in the second half of the season.

Walsall won 12 of the 21 League Two games Smith started last term to miss out on the play-offs. Smith spent his formative years in the Wolves academy and wouldn’t need to move if the Blues came calling.

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