Russian players dominated our analysis of the best keepers outside the top five European leagues. However, most of them were already in their peaks or had passed it. One youngster that stood out was 22-year-old Aleksandr Maksimenko. Spartak Moscow had a disappointing season, finishing in seventh place. Maksimenko was one of the few standout performers for the Moscow team.
This tactical analysis will look at why Maksimenko has stood out among his peers this season. It will also outline how he fits into his teams tactics and whether he would be a good transfer for teams within the top five leagues.
How does Maksimenko compare to the best young goalkeepers?
Maksimenko’s stats suggest that he is one of the most promising young goalkeepers outside Europe’s top five leagues. But how does he compare to the best? The below graph compares how many goals u25 goalkeepers have conceded in relation to the amount that they were expected to concede per 90 minutes.
Maksimenko impresses here. He’s amongst the best performing young goalkeepers. The Russian saves 0.16 more goals than he was expected to per 90 minutes, the fifth-best performer. Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, on loan from Manchester United, is the second-best performer.
Short stature doesnt hinder his shot-stopping
Standing at 1.87 metres tall, Maksimenko is fairly short for a goalkeeper. However, as we’ve seen in the past with former Real Madrid man Iker Casillas and former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes, height isn’t always an issue for the best goalkeepers. The Russian’s reflexes and anticipation mean that he can use his instincts to save tough shots.
