“It Is So Physical” – Wrexham’s Promotion Hero Ben Foster Claims Premier League Goalkeepers Would ‘Struggle’ in the National League

Imagine you are a goalkeeper living a retired life. Suddenly, your former club knocks on your door and asks you to come out of retirement. You accept the proposal and make a massive penalty save against the fiercest rivals, leading the club to the title and promotion to a higher league. Feels like a Hollywood script, right? It’s what happened with Ben Foster. Foster had his eyes on the prize, and it wasn’t about the fat stacks. “I don’t need much [money] – to be honest, the negotiations took about five minutes… Wages wise, it’s literally peanuts… the part for me is getting the team over the line and getting them promoted.” And boy, did he deliver!

Foster made an all-important save to send Wrexham AFC to the top and ultimately to the National League title. And the club got the promotion to League Two after 15 years. It even made their dream of playing in the Premier League stronger. Meanwhile, just a day ago, the Wrexham hero made a bold claim regarding the Premier League goalkeepers.

Ben Foster with massive claim

It was a second stint for Foster with the Red Dragons. The world’s third-oldest soccer club’s fans will remember Foster for the 96th-minute penalty save against Notts County. It was the reason the Red Dragons turned the tide and won the National League, taking the automatic promotion spot. However, the goalkeeper who has played in the Premier League made a massive claim regarding the Premier League goalkeepers.

Ben Foster feels the Premier League goalkeepers would have struggled in the National League. He was talking to British YouTube personalities Calfreezy and Chip on ‘The Fellas Podcast‘. Foster said, “Listen to this, yeah. I genuinely believe this and I am not joking. I think if you put all 20 Premier League goalkeepers into a National League weekend and make them play in the league, they would struggle.” Foster had his reasons for the claim.

“It is so physical. Honestly, it is so physical. Every team… if they get a free-kick from the halfway line, they’ll say ‘We’ll put it on top of the goalie.’ Every team has a long throw. And I mean, a stinking long throw. Think Rory Delap, a good missile,” he said. 

“Every corner is an in-swinger on top of you. You’ve also got a 6ft 6in’ or 6ft 7in’ bloke standing there going, ‘All the best.’ They would make saves for sure, but there would be goals going in from set pieces, corners, and throw-ins,” Foster rounded off his reasons.

Will Foster stay at Wrexham next season?

The Red Dragons released a massive squad update recently. They released a few players. Also, the club offered new deals to some players, with Ben Foster being one of them. The club wants to utilize his vast experience in the higher leagues.

READ MORE: Wrexham AFC vs Manchester United: Last 5 Competitive Meetings

However, the Englishman is yet to decide on his future. Whether he accepts the new Wrexham deal remains to be seen. On the other hand, the club will hope the former Manchester United goalie makes a decision soon ahead of their US tour. It will be an important decision for the 40-year-old, and fans are eagerly waiting.

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Do you think Foster will stay for more years with the Welsh side? Sound off in the comments below.