Tottenham Transfers: 4 Goalkeepers to Replace Brad Friedel

If there's a man who personifies the struggle to climb up the professional soccer ladder, it's Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Friedel started his career in 1995 with a loan out to Newcastle. Since that short spell, Friedel has appeared in over 600 matches for Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Tottenham and the United States national team.

But with experience comes age, and although goalkeepers have the longest shelf life of anyone on the pitch, Friedel will be 41 at the end of the 2011-12 season.

Harry Redknapp knows he will have to part ways with Friedel sooner rather than later and find another goalkeeper.

Friedel's backup, Carlo Cudicini, has shown promise in the team's failed Europa campaign, but he's not yet up to Premier League quality. Hercules Gomes is most likely out of White Hart Lane this winter, so Redknapp will be looking outside of north London for someone to stick in front of goal.

With hundreds of goalkeepers available all over the world, I give you the best options for Redknapp & Company as they look to eventually replace Brad Friedel.

Esteban Alvarado, AZ Alkmaar

The Eredivisie may be home to some of the highest scoring games in all of Europe, but AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado is not only surviving but dominating.

The 22-year-old Alvarado has earned a 0.88 goals against average and nine clean sheets through the first 17 matches of the 2011-12 season (best in the league).

England offers an opportunity for Alvarado to test his skills against better competition, and Tottenham provides better potential for playing regularly in the Champions League than AZ Alkmaar—the top four teams in England offer a berth to the Champions League whereas only the top two spots in Eredivisie offer a spot.

Roberto, Granada

Granada has scored the fewest goals so far in La Liga, yet they're tied for 10th in the table. How can that be?

One reason, one name—Roberto.

His 1.00 goals against average is fourth-best in La Liga through 16 matches, and the 96 shots on goal he's faced is second only to Real Zaragoza's Roberto.

Make a mental note, parents—you want your child to be a solid goalkeeper? Name him Roberto.

Samir Handanovic, Udinese

Italian club Udinese is quietly putting together its best year in over a decade, and it's all thanks to a strong back line of defenders and star goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

The 27-year-old has been with Udinese since 2004. He earned over 150 caps in Serie A and over 50 international caps with the Slovenian national team, including the country's 2010 World Cup campaign.

Through the first 16 matches, Handanovic has conceded only nine goals, the fewest of any goalkeeper, and earned a remarkable 10 clean sheets, the most of any goalkeeper.

Udinese might slip up this spring and fail again to capture a spot in next season's Champions League, making a switch to Tottenham all the more enticing for arguably the best goalkeeper in Serie A.

Zeljko Brkic, Siena

By most accounts, Siena is having a pretty miserable season this year in Serie A.

The club is only three points above relegation, is winless away from home and is averaging less than a goal scored per match.

But goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic is proving that diamonds can be found in the rough.

His 0.93 goals against average is fourth-best in Serie A, his 54 saves is also fourth-best and he's the only reason Siena isn't dead last in the league.

Now's as good a time as any to poach this gem of a 'keeper.