PLAYER WATCH: Brad Friedel

[LukeBB]

Considering his contract expires this summer, does anyone think he should be awarded another one-year extension?

Personally, I feel as if he should be awarded another contract, he's been very solid backup to Lloris and has been nothing but class for us when it comes to talking to and handling the media. Veterans such as him are always beneficial to have around on the training pitch to share their experience, especially with younger keepers who are crying out for players like him to take them under their wing.

I also feel that he has at least another season in him, so if we keep him on for another season, we can focus on strengthening key positions such as LB and CB, whilst leaving it safe for our younger keepers to find game time out on loan. Then the following summer we can look towards our academy for our 2nd and 3rd choice keepers.

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

I think he'll take a coaching role with us as he's been doing his badges I believe throughout the season. Envisage him having a career plan and strategy to get in to management.

 

[am_yisrael_chai]

No, we need another keeper similar in style to Hugo so we don't have to change team tactics when we change the keeper

 

[spursfan77]

Weren't the rumours he might be offered a job in the mls at some point in the future. If he wanted to go back to America you'd think that would be a likely scenario for him.

 

[pook]

I wouldn't mind. I certainly like him for all the reasons mentioned, and think he may have another decent year in him.

the problem, though, with players who (to their credit are able to) push on like this, is that you don't realize they're past it until they're past it. and at some (near) point, it has to happen.

 

[Anto18]

No, we need another keeper similar in style to Hugo so we don't have to change team tactics when we change the keeper

Spot on, as keepers go , Brad and Hugo are polar opposites. Also, I don't think brad is up to it anymore.

 

[absolute bobbins]

He has actually been coaching and has had control of one of the development teams during matches too

 

[mpickard2087]

New contract with main emphasis on coaching, and register him so he acts as emergency 3rd choice keeper if needed.

 

[SpursManChris]

If we see a good buy for a solid, more future proofed number 2 keeper, then we should thank Brad for his great service to us and wish him all the best for the future.

 

[mano-obe]

I'm still in shock we won a penalty shootout with him in goal. For that he deserves another year

 

[beats1]

He will be part of the coaching team but worth noting that Edwin Van Der Saar is part of the Ajax coaching team atm

Also he is 43 this week or so, 43! Its about time he retires. We can sign these keepers on a free:

Fabianski - 29
Bunn - 29
Sorenson - 37
Gomes - 33
Kameni - 30
Ruben - 29
Ochoa - 28
Riou - 26
Landreau - 34
Hildebrand - 35
Kresic - 30
Davari - 26
Mielitz - 24
Brkic - 27
Agazzi - 29
Diego - 31
Jefferson - 31

 

[SpursManChris]

He will be part of the coaching team but worth noting that Edwin Van Der Saar is part of the Ajax coaching team atm

Also he is 43 this week or so, 43! Its about time he retires. We can sign these keepers on a free:

Fabianski - 29
Bunn - 29
Sorenson - 37
Gomes - 33
Kameni - 30
Ruben - 29
Ochoa - 28
Riou - 26
Landreau - 34
Hildebrand - 35
Kresic - 30
Davari - 26
Mielitz - 24
Brkic - 27
Agazzi - 29
Diego - 31
Jefferson - 31

Fabianski will be a total fool if he leaves Arsenal as a number 2 only to go to another club as number 2. ANY keeper who is still in their 20's is a fool, Lindegard is another example, I don't understand why they do it. The only thing I can think of is they just don't care about football, no passion for it, and just take a paycheck. I'm not sure I want a player with no passion. I'd much rather have a player who actually cared about the great game. They're always a better player, you'd have to say.

 

[$hoguN]

Archer should be our number 2 next season. I don't mind the idea of hell boy getting a new contract as a coach and third chouce though

 

[MarkyP]

Third choice and a coaching role would be good...

As long as I don't have to witness another "collapse to your left or right" attempt at saving a penalty from him, then fine by me...

 

[sparx100]

Scary really in that Lloris could be sold, Gomes is out of contract and Brad I think will retire.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Weren't the rumours he might be offered a job in the mls at some point in the future. If he wanted to go back to America you'd think that would be a likely scenario for him.

He reportedly interviewed with/ spoke to Columbus Crew earlier in the year. I presume nothing came of it.

I think we should snap the man up as a coach, he will be a brilliant manager one day i reckon. If you look at the sidelines during games he is often up and chatting to the coaches and AVB used to go over to him often and they'd speak animatedly during the games.

He also set up a (now failed) coaching academy over stateside previously and went bankrupt. Which i don't think is a reflection of the man really, it was right at the beginning of the financial crisis and it was an ambitious project he'd financed and i think that he had the financing pulled out from under him.

one to watch. I hope we have the foresight to keep him over his going to Blackburn/ Villa/ MLS

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Definitely no more playing time for Brad please! The guys reactions are slower than a stoned sloth.

Would love him to be part of the back room staff though. He always comes across really well in interviews. Definitely seems like he has a good future as a coach or manager.

 

[hughy]

He will be part of the coaching team but worth noting that Edwin Van Der Saar is part of the Ajax coaching team atm

Also he is 43 this week or so, 43! Its about time he retires. We can sign these keepers on a free:

Fabianski - 29
Bunn - 29
Sorenson - 37
Gomes - 33
Kameni - 30
Ruben - 29
Ochoa - 28
Riou - 26
Landreau - 34
Hildebrand - 35
Kresic - 30
Davari - 26
Mielitz - 24
Brkic - 27
Agazzi - 29
Diego - 31
Jefferson - 31

Is that Gomes any good?!

 

[THFC 1882]

bradley h friedel ‏@friedel_b 28 min
@BroadcastMoose thank you sir...my future will be decided soon... but first going to enjoy the sunshine today!

 

[LukeBB]

I do hope he stays on with us (as a player) with rumors of Darlow coming in we could do with him as an extra option and on the training pitch. With him as 3rd choice that gives us the freedom to loan out our young GKs and gives him time to complete his coaching badges. Hiring him as a coach now would be a mistake IMO as he isn't yet fully educated and since he'll be working with our youth (if we signed him on as a coach I reckon) they need quality coaching as they're in a delicate stage of their development.