Jasper Cillessen

Jasper Cillessen
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Jasper Cillesen





Current Club: Barcelona.

Previous Clubs: Ajax, NEC Nijmegen.

Loan Clubs: N/A.





International: Netherlands 41 caps.

Trophies Won: La Liga 2017/18. Spanish Cup 2016/17, 2017/18. Spanish Super Cup 2017/18, 2018/19. Netherlands Eredivisie 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14.





As a goalkeeper, he is very much in the mould that fits Barcelona's way of playing. Cillessen is quick across the ground, always looking to rush out and sweep up behind the defence, with an eye for quick distribution of the ball looking to launch a quick attack. Those quick feet also make him agile and able to get himself into a position to make a save when the ball is moving from side to side of the area.



The Dutchman is also tall and imposing, able to stretch out and reach shots that shorter keepers would struggle to get to. It also makes it possible for him to take the ball from a high cross before forwards can reach it. That is not the full story though.



While has the attributes to be a top class keeper, he can be weak and indecisive, which probably explains the decision to sub him off for Tim Krul to face penalties for his nation. That can leave him missing out on a save he should have made easily.



Cillessen is also error prone, he fluffs some of the easiest saves and catches you will ever see, a lack of concentration that is a real problem for a goalkeeper in a team like Barcelona, where he can regularly be left doing nothing for extended periods of the game. Especially one that is usually only a reserve.



The talent is there to be a very good keeper but there is a tendency to have far too many off days to be top class, though he is a little way off having the ability to be top class anyway. There is a reason why he is a back up, it is his level, as, for all his good qualities, his weaknesses hold him back badly.



Requested by - Salah