Banks wants Butland Chance

England’s legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks says that he expects Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland to create a major impact at the Euro 2016. This tournament is expected to be make or break for the former Birmingham City goalkeeper.

Given that many young goalkeepers start appearing for their national teams at a very young age, this is seen as an ideal time for Butland to make a name for himself. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has not been in a great run of form over the last couple of seasons. His first impression in the England national team is clearly under threat from young guns like Butland.

At just 22 years of age, he has become a regular in the Stoke team. Stoke have been so confident in his ability that they have been able to sell former number one Asmir Begovic without a second thought to Chelsea in the summer. Apart from having represented Birmingham and Stoke City, he has also present at the clubs like Leeds United and Barnsley on loan spells.

Euro 2016 is expected to be a competition that will open the doors for many youngsters. This is the belief for former greats like Banks. The former England goalkeeper, as someone who was Stoke City extremely well, wants Butland to become the regular England number one from now on.

Speaking to 1st4footballtickets, he backed the youngster to make an impact. “He’s done really, really well and I can’t believe how quickly he’s coming through, I really can’t. He was playing for the Under-21s last season and all of a sudden he’s playing for Stoke and as soon as I saw him, I thought, this lad’s going to be challenging. I met him for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I said to him: ‘Jack, to be honest, watching you play and how well you’re doing, you must be doing what I did,” said Banks.