Former Arsenal and Everton star-turned-pundit Martin Keown did not hold back in his critique of Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s performance during the match against Everton at Goodison Park. In a hard-fought Premier League encounter that ended in a 2-2 draw, Keown was unimpressed with the Italian goalkeeper’s display, particularly highlighting his struggles with set-pieces which resulted in conceding goals.
The 27-year-old Vicario, who has been a reliable presence for Spurs since his move from Empoli in the summer of 2023, failed to make the kind of impact he and the team had hoped for in the matchup with Everton. Keown, speaking as a pundit for BBC Sport, was quick to point out Vicario’s shortcomings, emphasizing the need for improvement, especially when it comes to dealing with aerial threats from set-pieces.
On the BBC’s Final Score, Keown remarked, “For Tottenham, Guglielmo Vicario is costing them goals from set-pieces. He should have done better [for both Everton goals].” Keown’s criticism was centered around Vicario’s positioning and reaction to the set-pieces that led to Everton’s goals.
Despite the criticism from Keown, I remain optimistic about Vicario’s potential to learn and improve from this experience. Given his track record and skillset, I am confident that Vicario will be able to bounce back and contribute more effectively to Tottenham’s defensive efforts in the future.
As a highly-rated goalkeeper who has shown his ability to perform at a high level, it is important to recognize that even the best players have off days. Vicario will undoubtedly use this match as a learning opportunity and come back stronger in the next fixtures. In addition, the coaching staff, led by head coach Ange Postecoglou, will likely provide support and guidance to help Vicario address any weaknesses and fine-tune his performance, potentially introducing new strategies to bolster his effectiveness during set-piece situations.
Ultimately, while Vicario may have faced criticism for his performance against Everton, it is essential to consider this as a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. With the right support and determination, Guglielmo Vicario has the potential to overcome his challenges and cement his position as a reliable presence between the posts for Tottenham Hotspur.
