Jack Butland
Jack Butland earned just his second international cap for England during the Three Lions’ 3-0 win in Lithuania earlier this month.
Many Stoke supporters probably feared the worst when goalkeeper Asmir Begovic departed the Britannia Stadium for Chelsea during the summer, but Jack Butland relished the challenge of becoming the club’s new number one and he has certainly showcased his talents between the sticks so far this season. Despite keeping just two clean sheets in the Potters’ opening ten Premier League fixtures, the England shot stopper has conceded just 12 goals and has produced some acrobatic saves to single-handedly rescue Stoke a series of points already this campaign. Specifically his outstanding series of saves against Tottenham at White Hart Lane and at Carrow Road against Norwich City back in August justified his tag as Joe Hart’s future successor on the international stage. Still only 22-years-old; Butland will only keep improving with first-team experience after enjoying loan spells at the likes of Cheltenhham Town, Barnsley and Leeds United, despite already being named ‘Keeper of the Week five times this English top-flight campaign. His rewards for this season’s good work already have earned him his second international cap when he kept a clean sheet for England in the Three Lions’ 3-0 win in Lithuania. Keep up the great work Jack; you are almost certain to nail a place in Roy Hodgson’s UEFA European Championships squad for next summer’s finals in France.
