‘They didn’t take a big risk there’ - Krul’s quality was never in doubt for former City coach
Goalkeeper coach Dean Kiely celebrates Norwich City's Championship play-off final victory with Alex Neil, right, Frankie McAvoy and Gary Holt at Wembley in 2015 Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
While some may have seen Norwich City’s signing of Tim Krul as a risk, the goalkeepers’ union was in no doubt about how good the Dutchman could be for the Canaries.
That's according to former City keeper coach Dean Kiely, who is busy helping Crystal Palace secure an eighth consecutive season in the Premier League at the moment, sitting 13th and nine points clear of the drop zone with 11 games left.
Krul had seen a serious knee injury end his time at the top with Newcastle and Holland in 2015, but after playing a pivotal role in last season's Championship title win, the 31-year-old's form has put him on the verge of an international recall. After a rusty start, Krul has proved an excellent free transfer, in spite of City's struggles in the top flight this season.
"Norwich had to cut their cloth and in all that let's not get away from the fact that they got a Premier League goalkeeper with Premier League credentials," said former West Brom and Charlton keeper Kiely.
"So they didn't take a big risk there, Tim Krul is an international goalkeeper and knows his way around the Premier League, so he's been very good for Norwich in what has been a tough season.
"We were there New Year's Day (Palace drawing 1-1 at Carrow Road) and from seeing TV footage as well, he's endeared himself to the crowd. And the Norwich crowd are like any other football crowd, if you play well they're great with you and if you don't you'll soon know about it.
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"Tim gets a very good reception from the Norwich fans, from what I can see from afar, which means he's doing alright, so he's been a really good signing."
Dean Kiely, left, was back at Carrow Road in January as Crystal Palace held Norwich to a 1-1 draw Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Kiely was keeper coach at Norwich between February 2015 and July 2017 - mostly under Alex Neil, helping to win promotion at Wembley - and joined up with the Scot for a brief spell at Preston before the opportunity to join Roy Hodgson at Palace emerged.
"Considering we had no previous connection before, we got on extremely well from day one and I felt part of what was being done there," Kiely said of Neil, who has Preston firmly in the Championship play-off mix.
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"He made you feel valued, certainly, as a coach and you had an input, which was brilliant, I really enjoyed it."
