The Goalkeeper Dilemma

With Hazard coming in as Argyle's 3rd current keeper for a decent fee, this begs the question of which keeper will actually start for the Greens in our upcoming season. We analysed each goalkeeper and their chances to start.

Michael Cooper

Cooper is a keeper that has sustained his position in goal since coming through the youth ranks and is a strong fan-favourite. He played a key part in our promotion push last season, until getting injured in Argyle's 1-0 Loss to Sheffield Wednesday in February. He would be classified as the Argyle number 1, however with his ACL injury there is a good chance he may not be fit for the first few games of the 23/24 season.

Personally, I believe that once Cooper has returned from injury he will regain his position as our main keeper as long as he retains his strong performances previously seen.

Callum Burton

Callum Burton had the first year and a half of his argyle career limited to just the Papa John's trophy. With Michael Cooper our main keeper until injury, Burton struggled to find games to start in the league. However, when Cooper got injured in February, it was finally time for Burton to shine, and he did. Only conceding 20 goals in 19 games, Callum Burton had a hugely successful end to the season, contributing to our promotion. But how would he compete this season?

In my opinion I believe that Callum Burton will start for Argyle in our first few league games over Hazard simply due to his form from last season and the fact that he has played many games with this Argyle team.

Conor Hazard

Hazard is a goalkeeper who has signed for argyle on a reported fee of £150k from Celtic. This is decent fee which represents that he isn't just here to be a backup letalone a third choice keeper. In an interview with Plymouth Live, Hazard stated that he is at an age where he 'needs to be playing and performing'.

My prediction is that Hazard may be rotated in the first few games for Argyle, with Callum Burton the only goalkeeper in contention due to the Michael Cooper injury. His first start however will probably be in the Carabao Cup game against Leyton Orient, a key time to prove himself.