Report: Premier League legend suggests that star shouldn’t have signed for Forest
Brad Friedel is not happy about Matt Turner’s move to Nottingham Forest from Arsenal this summer. The striker joined the club on a one-year deal for £7 million, after spending a single season fighting for the title at the Emirates. The former Premier League star has been talking to Goal throughout the international break, and Turner was in fine form for the U.S. as they beat Uzbekistan on the weekend. He has established himself as a key player in the national team and will now be competing for a place in the first-team at City Ground. He will be up against Odysseas Varos, who has been in the frame for the number one spot, after the Greek goalkeeper signed on transfer deadline day.
Friedel has admitted his frustration over the Turner situation once again. He now feels that he’s guaranteed to be the number one custodian on Trentside either.
He told Goal: “With Turner’s move, someone as good as him should never have signed a contract to be a number two for any club. I understand Arsenal are a huge, fantastic club, but when you have the ability he has, you’re only physically able to play football in your life, you need to play as many games as you can.
“I was a little disappointed for him when he was on the bench all season so I’m really happy with his move.
“But I’m a little disappointed again because Nottingham Forest know how good of a goalkeeper they have, yet they have signed another goalkeeper from Benfica who is 29 and has played about 500 games and lifted titles. He’s got another battle on his hands.”
Friedel disappointed with Forest star Turner
The man who made 450 Premier League appearances during his career won’t have much to worry about in the short term. Turner is in possession of the gloves and he kept his first clean sheet against Chelsea.
That should almost certainly see him keep his place against Burnley when domestic football returns. Turner hasn’t done anything to warrant being dropped just yet and he deserves a run.
Competition for places is certainly healthy. Wayne Hennessey and Ethan Horvath are still at the club and right now, the goalkeeping ranks look well-stocked on Trentside.
Turner is a confident performer. As a result, Friedel should back the USA number one to maintain his status as the Forest number one for the foreseeable too.
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Explained: Why Matt Turner is leaving USMNT camp early as ‘boss’ calls him back from international duty
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The 29-year-old shot-stopper played the full 90 minutes for his country as they collected a 3-0 friendly victory over Uzbekistan. Turner starred in that contest, earning Player of the Match recognition, but is now leaving Gregg Berhalter’s squad.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
That is because his partner, former NFL cheerleader Ashley Herron, is due to give birth to the couple’s second child. Turner had to get permission to travel to St. Louis during the international break, but it will be a case of one and out for him as his focus shifts away from professional matters and back to personal ones.
WHAT THEY SAID
Turner, whose son Eaton was born in June 2022, has told the USMNT’s official media of why he is heading home early: “It was a clear message from the boss back home that I needed to make sure that if I was going to come, that I was going to make it worth it. A clean sheet and a win is all I could ask for. Now focused completely on the safe delivery of our baby girl into the world.”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Turner is up to 33 caps for his country and is enjoying a productive 2023-24 campaign. Alongside the imminent birth of his baby daughter, he has also been celebrating regular first team football at club level after completing a summer transfer from Arsenal to Forest.
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