Former Derby County goalkeeper Lee Grant has claimed his former Rams teammate Scott Carson's summer loan move to Manchester City makes 'perfect sense'.

Carson joined the Premier League champions on a season-long loan deal during the summer transfer window, but has yet to make a competitive appearance for Pep Guardiola's side, as he plays back up to Ederson and Claudio Bravo.

Grant, who spent four years at Derby between 2013 and 2017, has been in a similar role last summer, when he joined Manchester United as an additional option for the Old Trafford club behind David De Gea and Sergio Romero.

Since then, Grant has made just a single appearance for United, coming off the bench after Romero was sent off in a Carabao Cup tie, ironically against Derby themselves in a game where Carson played for the Rams.

But despite the lack of game, Grant believes that he, Carson, and recent Liverpool signing Andy Lonergan all have something to offer their respective sides.

After being asked about the roles played by the likes of that particular, Grant told Sky Sports: “Those goalkeepers you highlight, they all make perfect sense for those football clubs at the junctions they are at, the make up of their squads and their goalkeeping departments.

“If I look at our goalkeeping department, I certainly know I add something. I add my attitude, my work ethic and another way for those guys to see.

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“As much as I see those guys work and their attitude being one way, my way if a different way and at times in contrast to how they’ve done it or do it.”

The Verdict

I do agree with Grant here.

That trend of experienced goalkeepers coming into sides as third-choice 'keepers is one that seems to be growing, and you can understand why.

Bringing in 'keepers who have been around the game for some time, rather than ones who are just starting out in the game, adds a fresh insight into the game for those ahead of them in the pecking order to potentially learn from, while also providing a reliable option should it ever be needed.

It also means that those younger goalkeepers are free to head out and develop their first-team experience elsewhere, rather than being stuck on the sidelines in case they are needed once or twice each season.