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Ex-Aston Villa scout rips into Zion Suzuki, reveals why he's not as good as many are saying
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- Ex-Aston Villa scout rips into Zion Suzuki, reveals why he's not as good as many are saying
Zion Suzuki still has some way to go to prove that he can be a reliable number one for Aston Villa.
That is according to former senior Villa scout and ex-professional goalkeeper, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
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The 24-year-old, who has been widely praised by fans and pundits since his summer arrival, made his first big mistake as the Villans drew 1-1 with Fulham on Saturday, dropping Alex Iwobi's corner into his own net.
Suzuki had made several saves in the minutes before, including a tremendous stop to deny Oscar Bobb from close range, but will ultimately take criticism for a glaring error.
The Japan international arrived in a £30million deal from Parma in the summer transfer window and has been thoroughly impressive so far this season.
Speaking after the game, Unai Emery backed his goalkeeper and was keen to praise him for his start to life at Villa Park.
Zion Suzuki 'should concentrate on the simple job'
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Suzuki has attracted huge attention since making the move to Villa, catching eyes for his superb shot-stopping and distribution.
But Saturday's error was a stark reminder that he still remains a very young goalkeeper.
"This is a goalkeeper who makes saves look so much harder than they are, more spectacular than they are. He wants to concentrate on the simple job," King told Football Insider.
"He's entitled to have one good save in the game. That usually happens when you're a goalkeeper. Unfortunately, they never remember the good save.
"Of course he will bounce back if he's got anything about him. But as I say, he's a goalkeeper who certainly hasn't impressed me. Not for the money they paid for him."
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King added: "I would expect the goalkeeper to come back. If he cost that amount of money, then one mistake shouldn't harm his season. But the jury's still out on him for me."
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It spoke to just how impressed Villa have been with Suzuki already this season that he has received an outpouring of love following his mistake.
Emery was keen to share a similar sentiment, and praised the Japan international after the game.
"It's part of football. We can identify and we are mature to understand we are making mistakes when we are playing," he said.
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"I as a coach, make mistakes everyday. Players make mistakes every match. One match in the middle of the field is not so relevant but for a goalkeeper, those mistakes are more in focus.
"But it's part of football and keep going forward. I prefer to speak about the saves he did."
