Tickle, Jensen and other Birmingham City goalkeepers could sign after relegation

Birmingham City’s goalkeeping department is likely to require major surgery this summer.

Both of the club’s goalkeepers, John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge, have reached the end of their contracts and could be on free transfers. The Blues could therefore be in the market for two new stoppers.

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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READ: Three Birmingham City players should be desperate to stay in League One

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.

Viktor Johansson

A goalkeeper well known to Blues and Birmingham City fans who came through the ranks at Aston Villa. The 25-year-old Swede is looking for a new club after deciding to leave Rotherham on a free transfer.

Johansson will likely have Championship suitors who have impressed in a struggling Millers side over the past two seasons, but the Blues can be ambitious this summer. He kept six clean sheets behind last year’s Championship worst defence, two of which came against the Blues.

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 would not need to move if the Blues came calling.

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