- Senne Lammens names his pick for the best goalkeeper in the world
- The 23-year-old is learning from the best
- Ready to step in for the national team when needed
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens caught the eye for Belgium’s national team last month following Thibaut Courtois’s injury. The Real Madrid star picked up a muscle injury in the UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City and was forced to pull out of the international friendlies.
The United shot-stopper stepped up and particularly impressed in a 5-2 win over the United States. He was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw to Mexico later in the week, with Matz Sels taking the gloves.
The 23-year-old spoke to The Athletic earlier this week and seemed to still acknowledge he isn’t Belgium’s number one. That’s because he believes his country possesses “the best goalkeeper in the world”.
Lammens Hails ‘World’s Best’ Courtois
Lammens revealed that he caught up with Courtois last month, though the Real Madrid star was not fit enough to play for the national team.
He said that the former Chelsea goalkeeper came to the national team camp to speak to the players and offer sound advice to the Manchester United star.
“I saw [Courtois] in the beginning of the week. He was there with our team. He knows we are both a bit the same character, in that we do not need the most praise or the most reassurance, but I think he believes in me as well.”
The 23-year-old went on to hail the 33-year-old star as the best in the world, adding that he was ready to deputize whenever needed.
“He’s still, to be honest, the best goalkeeper in the world. So, he’ll come back to that level. I wanted to be there for my team today and maybe in the future, when I’m needed. I showed today that you can count on me.”
Courtois has been Belgium’s number one over the past decade but is nearing the age in which international retirement is on the horizon. It looks likely he’ll be handing over such duties to Lammens if the United man’s form continues.
Lammens Backed to be ‘World’s Best’
Manchester United’s chief goalkeeping scout, Tony Coton, spoke last week bout Lammens and how he believes he has what it takes to become one of the best in the world. He said that the club are confident in the Belgian’s abilities and saw him as the better signing than Emiliano Martinez and said:
“He’s got all the tools. All the tools and he’s got the mental capacity to cope with it, as we’ve seen. I don’t want to compare him to anyone. He is Senne Lammens, and he is himself. If he keeps working as hard as he is doing and, if we get those little things tidied up, he can be one of the world’s best. I’m sure he can.”
The Belgian has played 25 Premier League matches this season, keeping five clean sheets, while conceding 32 goals. He has undoubtedly been one of the most important signings since INEOS’ arrival.
