After Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa recently said that he plans to bring in a new goalkeeper in January, a number of names were thrown into the hat.
One of those names was Birmingham’s David Stockdale, who is currently on loan at League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers.
With that in mind, let’s see how he compares to incumbent goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell…
Bailey Peacock-Farrell
This season has been a fantastic campaign so far for Peacock-Farrell to not only establish himself as Leeds’ first choice, but one of the best ‘keepers in the league. The 6ft 4 ‘keeper has convincingly beaten Chelsea loan Jamaal Blackman to become first choice under Bielsa for The Whites, and has been national coach Michael O’Neil’s first choice in recent fixtures too.
Winner of Leeds’ Young Player of the Year award last season, he has only improved this season, as he has looked more and more composed with every game that has passed.
With Leeds’ continued success, there’s nothing to say that Peacock-Farrell will not be an accomplished ‘keeper in the Premier League, should his team make it. Being signed by Leeds as a teenager, this was a very wise choice.
TT Grade: A
David Stockdale
Birmingham signed then-30-year-old Stockdale from Brighton on a free transfer in the summer of 2017. The ‘keeper had just helped The Seagulls earn promotion to the Premier League, but was deemed surplus to requirements.
The goalkeeper had been a mainstay for Brighton for the past three seasons, earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year, and carried that good form into his first season at Birmingham. He played 36 times for The Blues last season, but has slipped down the pecking order this term. This resulted in him being loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers as an emergency loan last week, with his future looking in doubt at St Andrew’s.
In light of this, he wasn’t the greatest signing by Birmingham.
TT Grade: B-
TT Verdict:
While Stockdale arrived at Birmingham with a better pedigree, having earned promotion with his previous club, Peacock-Farrell is proving this season to be the better bit of business. Indeed, the Whites must be happy they didn’t make a move for him, as they were touted to over the course of the summer.
Neither player cost either club any money, but Peacock-Farrell, at such a young age, looks to have a huge future with The Whites. On the other hand, less can be said about Stockdale, and it is for that reason the Northern Irishman wins this battle.
