Table of Contents
- What is a sweeper keeper in soccer?
- What are the benefits of using a sweeper keeper?
- Is deploying a sweeper keeper risky?
- Who are the best sweeper keepers in soccer?
- What attributes do sweeper keepers need?
- The verdict: Are sweeper keepers effective?
Defenders will accept all the help they can get to prevent the opposition from scoring. That help usually comes in the form of midfielders dropping deeper, but are there others on the pitch who can contribute?
Yes! Goalkeepers are asked to clear the lines more and more in the modern game, but why is that? Is it as risky as it sounds?
This article will look at the role of the sweeper keeper and help you decide whether you believe it’s an effective deployment or something that should be avoided at all costs.
What is a sweeper keeper in soccer?
A sweeper keeper is a goalkeeper who actively comes out of their goalmouth to clear away any errant danger behind the defensive line.
Throughout the history of soccer, goalkeepers tended to stay in their goalmouth and only collect the ball should it enter their penalty area. However, the position has evolved to the point where goalkeepers can almost be considered an 11th outfield player when the moment calls for it.
Sweeper keepers can also offer another passing outlet for defensive players that might be out of options. This isn’t the primary role of a sweeper keeper though, but many managers utilize their ability to pass capably as a way of overwhelming opponents.
Imagine that a through ball is played in between two defenders and a pacey attacker is likely to latch onto it. Sweeper keepers will often rush out of their area to tend to the danger, neutralizing the attack.
What are the benefits of using a sweeper keeper?
If you thought the defense was the last line of… well, defense, then think again.
If a ball happens to penetrate your defensive line and there is nobody else to cover an oncoming attacker chasing a through ball, having your goalkeeper mop up by clearing the ball as far away from danger as possible acts as a safety net.
Sometimes, if the goalkeeper is skilled enough, they will pass the ball calmly to one of their teammates so their team maintains possession – this is something we’re increasingly noticing in the modern game.
It’s not just desperation mode that teams deploy a sweeper keeper, either. Managers might decide to use their goalkeeper in the possession game, effectively giving them an extra passer of the ball.
Whether a team decides to do this so close to their penalty box is up for debate, but a lot of sides have their goalkeeper sitting on the edge of their area, almost like a linchpin for the defense, to spread the ball from one side to the other.
Is deploying a sweeper keeper risky?
Having your goalkeeper frequently charge from their penalty box to sniff out danger naturally possesses risks.
The most obvious risk is that your goal is now entirely exposed should the goalkeeper misplace a pass or simply lose possession.
We will talk about him a little more later, but there one instance that springs to mind is Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson costing his side’s perfect season with a moment of poor judgment at Anfield.
With his side already 3-1 in their January 2018 meeting with Liverpool, the Brazilian decided to come way out of his area to clear a long ball, only for it to fall to Mo Salah 40 yards from the goal, who expertly lofted the ball over Ederson as he desperately tried to sprint back to make amends. He couldn’t, and Liverpool were 4-1 up all of a sudden.
The game ended up finishing 4-3 to the Reds, so who knows? Maybe City might have gone unbeaten that season had they salvaged an away point that day.
Additionally, critics feel that using a goalkeeper as a sweeper keeper exposes them to physical injuries they wouldn’t otherwise face.
There’s an argument that goalkeepers aren’t used to combative tussles with opponents, either because it’s infrequent or because they receive protection from the referee, allegedly. It could be viewed as a waste of time in training if you have them involved with physical engagement when it’s less likely to occur so they’ll be ill-prepared on matchday.
Who are the best sweeper keepers in soccer?
Although I’ve already spoken about an instance where he made a huge mistake, it would be unfair to leave Ederson out of this list because many believe he is still the best sweeper keeper in soccer today.
Pep Guardiola, his club manager, clearly feels that deploying a goalkeeper like Ederson in this role pays off more time than it costs his side, and it would be tough to argue against that given their recent Premier League track record. Aside from that aforementioned moment, it’s difficult to think of many occasions the Brazilian does make errors, a true testament to his skill and footwork.
Next, we head over to Germany, where Manuel Neuer rose to fame because of his intuitive reading of defensive situations to help his defense out. It was never a gimmick, it was always a hugely beneficial trait that served his sides well.
The Word Cup-winning German has been performing the role of a sweeper keeper even before his Bayern Munich days, where he currently plays. It was his remarkable ability with his feet at his previous club Schalke 04 that persuaded Bayern to sign him and neither the club nor the player has looked back since.
What attributes do sweeper keepers need?
Sweeper keepers need to have good awareness. If we put aside shot-stopping and other forms of traditional goalkeeping for a moment, the primary role of a sweeper keeper is to clear any threat approaching. You need to be able to know when that threat is coming and judge in an instant if the reward outweighs the risk.
Of course, sweeper keepers need strong footwork. If a goalkeeper makes phenomenal saves with his hands but is suspect on the ball, you probably shouldn’t deploy them as a sweeper keeper. Being a good passer is necessary in this role.
And lastly, composure. Panicking gets you nowhere in this role. Remain calm in your abilities and it will show your teammates that you can be trusted on the ball as an extra passer or the last line of defense.
The verdict: Are sweeper keepers effective?
There you have it, the ultimate guide to the sweeper keeper role. It’s a useful role and fun one to watch from the stands or the comfort of your home because of the jeopardy involved (unless, it’s your team, of course!).
As long as you deploy the sweeper keeper with possession in mind and mitigate the risks attached, it can be an effective way to keep the ball.