A collection of goalkeepers Birmingham City may sign to replace Etheridge, and maybe Ruddy

Birmingham City must sign at least one new goalkeeper this summer, having released Neil Etheridge at the conclusion of his contract.

Birmingham City’s goalkeeping department requires surgery this summer. Both of the club’s goalkeepers, John Ruddy and Neil Etheridge, have reached the end of their contracts, with the latter already released.

The Blues have offered Ruddy, their number one for the past two seasons, a new deal, as well as veteran striker Lukas Jutkiewicz. However, there is no guarantee that Ruddy will drop down to League One.

If the Blues intend to play a more expansive, possession-based style of football, recruiting a goalkeeper who is at ease with the ball at his feet is a major objective. Every side that successfully plays the way the Blues are aiming for has a goalie capable of initiating assaults.

But which goalkeepers are best suited? Here are five players who might give Blues’ goalkeeping department a new look in League One.

Sam Tickle

Sam Tickle of Wigan Athletic was among the best goalkeepers in League One last season. The 22-year-old was a constant for 12th-placed Wigan, keeping a respectable 14 clean sheets.

According to FBREF, Tickle saved 137 of the 188 shots on target he faced last season, giving him a save percentage of 72.9, which only four goalkeepers in the league surpassed. Tickle is a goalie who thrives with the ball at his feet in a Latics team that prefers to control possession. Tickle has a 62.2 percent pass completion rate in league games.

Lukas Jensen

Last season, Lincoln City’s Jensen had the greatest save percentage in League One, at 78 percent. He also kept the most clean sheets in the league and was the final line of the second best third-tier defense.

The one thing that may go against Jensen, 25, is that Lincoln’s counter-attacking approach did not allow him to show off his ball-handling ability. However, the 6ft 5in Dane has time to improve that expertise.

Ben Wilson

Wilson, 31, is the lone goalie on this list in his thirties. However, Wilson was Coventry’s number one goalkeeper in 2022/23, when the club reached the Championship play-off final.

Last season, Brad Collins took his place between the sticks, and Wilson may look for a new challenge this summer. Blues can’t merely fill their goalkeeping positions with young players, and Wilson would provide vital experience.

Joe Wildsmith

Now for the player who was statistically the best goalkeeper in League One last season. Wildsmith maintained the most clean sheets for Derby County (20 in 40 outings) while conceding the fewest goals (37).

The 28-year-old was an unexpected inclusion on Derby’s released list, making him available on a free transfer. Wildsmith is of the proper age and has extensive experience in League One and the Championship.

Jackson Smith

Clubs will be circling Smith this summer, as his contract with League Two side Walsall is set to expire. The 22-year-old joined the Saddlers last year as Owen Evans’ understudy, but in the second part of the season, he outperformed his goalkeeping opponent and took over as number one.

Walsall won 12 of the 21 League games. Smith started two matches last season and almost missed out on the playoffs. Smith spent his early years in Wolves’ academy and would not need to relocate if the Blues came knocking.