EPL: Ben Foster's Rebirth

Not long ago, Ben Foster was considered the next big thing in English football. He was going to be the future of the national team. Finally, England’s goalkeeping woes since David Seaman’s career came to an end, were over.

So where did it all go wrong?

In 2005, he was signed by Premier League giants Manchester United for a £1 million fee from Stoke City and immediately farmed out on loan to Watford in the Championship.

Then Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd said at the time, “He's better than current Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and he is going to be the best goalkeeper in the world.”

In his first season, he was outstanding. He helped Watford to promotion to England’s top table, keeping a clean sheet in the playoff final, where they beat Leeds United 3-0. As a result he was re-signed on loan to help Watford stay in the Premier League.

He went on to be named Watford’s player of the season. Alex Ferguson decided that he would then remain at Manchester United rather than go out on loan again.

Things were looking rosy indeed for Foster, who was now on a mission to usurp Edwin Van Der Sar as United’s first choice shot stopper.

Unfortunately for Foster, in the summer of 2007, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for most of the season.

He eventually made his debut in a 1-0 victory over Derby County in March 2008, putting in an impressive display.

Foster went on to play an important role in Manchester United’s Carling Cup win in 2009, which included a dominant display during the penalty shootout with Spurs in the final. Foster made headlines after he was seen studying footage of Spurs penalties on his iPod.

Next came the best chance yet to cement his place as No. 1 when Van Der Sar suffered an injury that ruled him out for the opening two months of the 2009-10 season. Unfortunately, he was not able to grab the opportunity. With a string of errors, he was replaced by the returning Dutchman and in turn lost his England spot and missed out on the World Cup.

It looked like Aidy Boothroyd’s predictions would never come to fruition, until Foster was offered a lifeline by Birmingham City.

Having failed to retain the services of Joe Hart after a fine season in '09/'10, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish pounced to capture Foster on a £6 million signing in the summer. 

Some Blues fans were skeptical, but the chance for Foster to fulfil his promise away from the pressure of Old Trafford appeared to be a mouth watering proposition.

Could Foster fill the void left by Hart?

Could Birmingham’s goalkeeping coach work the same wonders on Foster as they did with Hart?

The early signs suggest yes.

Despite conceding three goals in his opening two fixtures, he has produced assuring displays.

Against Sunderland, he conceded a penalty from Darren Bent and a freak own-goal from Stephen Carr—neither of which could be blamed on the goalkeeper.

Against Blackburn, the headed goal he conceded was one he could do nothing about and was more the fault of the defenders allowing N’Zonzi to out jump them.

In fact, Bluenoses will hope the Blackburn game is a sign of things to come. Foster was immense throughout. He produced a string of fine saves, including a penalty save that could easily be considered for a save of the season award.

Although it was the "perfect height for a goalkeeper," it was struck with such venom that the fact he reached it at all was impressive. He tipped it onto the bar and sparked the game into life.

He is now back in the England squad and looks set to battle it out with Joe Hart for the job as England’s No. 1 for the foreseeable future. The future certainly looks bright. Foster finally looks like the commanding future star he did back in his days at Watford.

He’s got the sparkle back and hopefully it’s here to stay.