Kahn may retire but Lehman worries fans

Posted by DavidM in World Cup | 10 May 2006

I've just seen the article on TeamTalk quoting the Bayern chairman as saying that Kahn may retire from international football after being replaced by Jens Lehmann for the number one spot.

At the Arsenal game on Sunday the person next to me said they saw a match earlier in the season with some Germans. Their main reason for being there was to see how good Lehmann was.

Their conclusion? "Oh dear".

After Kahn, any keeper would struggle to keep Germany fans happy. But although Lehmann is a great shot stopper, he flaps at set pieces and has moments of madness. Even in a game as important as Sunday's he went walkabout outside the box.

He regularly picks fights and is booked and sent off more than your average keeper.

But, he is a big force at the back of the team and he is a very, very good shot-stopper.

It will be interesting to see how he does in the World Cup - it could raise his standing significantly or his weaknesses could badly expose the hosts.

Comments

1. At May 10, 2006 11:25 PM steve wrote:

absolute bollocks. Lehmann is the best cross taking keeper in the world. The reason why other keepers dont seem to flap is because they stay on their line all the time, not taking any risks. Lehmann knows he has a young defence and by coming out and collecting balls he takes pressure off them. Plus, once he has collected the cross he throws it out to cole/reyes or eboue/hleb instantly setting up a counter attack. He has been the best keeper in the premiership by far, and also in the champions league this season.

2. At May 11, 2006 8:17 PM DavidM wrote:

Good point about the distribution - he does get the ball out very fast and sets up a lot of attacking play.

Still has his moments though.

3. At May 11, 2006 8:36 PM bob wrote:

I agree with the last comment. If german fans would have seen him play this year, they would have no worries. Also, he's calmed down alot, but has the fiesty reputation, so everytime he does anything at all, the announcers make a "he's at it again" comment. With him germany has a better keeper than england, brazil, and almost anyone else.

4. At May 11, 2006 10:27 PM Iceman wrote:

What utter rubbish, you mention him getting booked and sent off more than you average keeper. First track his record the past few seasons at Arsenal. You don't know what you are talking about!!! Stick to your day job!

5. At May 18, 2006 8:15 AM DavidM wrote:

That's right, I don't know what I'm talking about. He never gets sent off.

Anyone watch the game last night?