Pundit raises Tim Krul "concern" for Blackburn Rovers after John Ruddy miss | OneFootball

The veteran goalkeeper could be tempted by the allure of regular football on offer from Blackburn.

Blackburn Rovers will turn to veteran goalkeeper Tim Krul after missing out on John Ruddy according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, and pundit Carlton Palmer believes Rovers should be looking at a stronger candidate to fill the gloves at Ewood Park next season.

Ruddy was Rovers boss John Eustace's priority goalkeeping target this summer, but the 37-year-old has opted to sign for Premier League side Newcastle United on a free transfer, following the expiration of his contract with Birmingham City.

Now it is believed that Eustace will turn his attention to current Luton Town shotstopper Krul, who could view the Championship side as a better opportunity for him to play regular first team football during the twilight years of his successful career.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer isn't sure whether 36-year-old Krul would be the type of goalkeeping addition that Blackburn should be looking to make this summer.

Palmer said: "Blackburn Rovers are trying to resolve their goalkeeping situation, John Eustace wants to bring in his former goalkeeper John Ruddy from Birmingham City - Ruddy has since signed for Newcastle United.

"He is the number one target for Eustace and Blackburn Rovers, but if they fail to secure his services, they will turn their attention to former Netherlands international Tim Krul.

"Prior to that, he played 16 games for Norwich in the 22/23 season, and then 29 Premier League appearances in 21/22. So in the last three seasons, as it were, he's not amassed more than 40-odd games.

"It would be a concern for me. I would be looking for a much stronger candidate to take over. I look back at his record, and the most games he's had was for Norwich in the 18/19 season, where he played 46 games.

"He did play 36 games in the Premier League the following season, then they went back to the Championship where he played 36 games.

"So, if he could go back to those days of playing regular football and being consistent with his performances, it might well be a good move for Blackburn Rovers, and for John Eustace."

Krul would bring experience to a youthful goalkeeping group

In a modern footballing world where talented young players are scoured for more than ever by clubs, and have never been entrusted to more by managers, experienced figures have arguably never been more important to a dressing room.

Those veteran players who've seen it all and worn the t-shirt are vital to any successful squad, as they so often provide knowledge and know-how that younger players don't yet possess.

In Blackburn's case, their goalkeeping options are all on what would be classed as the younger side for a goalkeeper, with Aynsley Pears being the oldest at 26.

Behind Pears is soon-to-be 25-year-old Leopold Wahlstedt - whom Pears battled for the starting role with last season - and 24-year-old Joe Hilton, who has yet to make his league debut for Rovers.

Pears played 26 times in the Championship last season, conceding 38 times and keeping just seven clean sheets, whilst Wahlstedt made 21 appearances in the second tier, conceding 36 times and keeping just three clean sheets.

Therefore, Blackburn do look like a side that could benefit with a more proven pair of gloves between the sticks, and whilst Krul hasn't played nearly enough games as Rovers fans would've liked him to, his pedigree should be enough to convince them that he would be a better option.

Krul established himself as a good Premier League goalkeeper during his prime years, and at 36, should still have a couple of years left playing at Championship level.

The former Dutch international could be the perfect mentor figure for Blackburn's young stable of goalkeepers to learn from, and enable the likes of Pears to take almost a study season away from the responsibilities of being the number one, and return in 2025 ready to cement his place again.