Matt Turner needed to make a statement on Saturday, one day after Nottingham Forest brought in some real competition for his place in goal.
A clean sheet and a victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? That’ll do.
Forest beat Chelsea 1-0 in a league encounter, as Anthony Elanga’s goal just after halftime sealed an upset win for Steve Cooper’s side.
Turner wasn’t called upon too much in the game, but did everything asked of him and made two saves. The U.S. men’s national team starter had to be particularly alert late in the match, as he saved at his near post from Thiago Silva.
MATT TURNER SAVE 🧤🌳🇺🇸 Bergen County Buffon stops Thiago Silva near post, winds up getting shutout win at Stamford Bridge. Forest leapfrog Chelsea to reach 9th in table. Amazing momentum for Turner & Forest heading into international break. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/11ySxMIbsK
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) September 2, 2023
It was Turner’s first career Premier League clean sheet in his fourth start. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the USMNT No. 1 now looks to have some real competition for his starting role.
On Friday, Forest signed Odysseas Vlachodimos from Benfica in a deal worth a reported €8 million.
Vlachodimos is not the kind of goalkeeper who will join Forest expecting to be a backup. The Greece international made well over 200 appearances for Benfica over five seasons, winning two Portuguese league titles and helping the club reach the Champions League quarterfinals twice.
Turner would appear to have a slight advantage right now, as the incumbent who has put together a strong start to the season. But any slip-up will open the door for Vlachodimos, who has the quality to seize the job himself.
The USMNT man will have to be at his best all season and in his first four Premier League games at least, he’s been at the level he’ll need to hold off some stiff competition.
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