13 brilliant times outfielders went in goal: O’Shea, Kane, Radebe & more

Quick Reads

Manchester United's John O'Shea stands in for injured goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar

Planet Football
4th February 2022

Watching an outfielder play as a goalkeeper is one of football’s most puerile joys – and Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Leeds United players have all taken the hit for our personal enjoyment.

Professional footballers normally look like modern-day superheroes with athleticism we can only dream of, at least until one of them is asked to go between the posts.

Here are some memorable examples of outfield players donning a goalkeeper’s kit.

John O’Shea

We’re not sure what’s weirder, that O’Shea once scored a chip against Arsenal at Highbury or that he played in goal at White Hart Lane – flapped at crosses, continued making tackles, wore a shirt three times too big for him and laughed at the whole thing?

It's 12 years to the day since John O'Shea pulled on the gloves against Spurs…

We ❤️ you, Sheasy! #MUFC #OnThisDay pic.twitter.com/K8RXoOilho

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 4, 2019

Phil Jagielka

Neil Warnock is not a fan of using a place on his bench for a back-up goalkeeper, leading to Jagielka standing in on a number of occasions during his Sheffield United days – most memorably in a 1-0 win over Arsenal.

Lucas Radebe

Radebe’s display for Leeds United at Old Trafford only enhanced his legend in West Yorkshire.

READ: A forensic analysis of Lucas Radebe playing in goal against Man Utd

Niall Quinn

There are certain players you just know are going to stick their hand up in times of need. When Manchester City needed a hero, of course it was Quinn who stepped up to the plate.

Only one solution to Manchester City's potential goalkeeping crisis, and that is Big Niall John Quinn pic.twitter.com/Wni4fIhk4i

— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) August 22, 2018

Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand could not quite match Quinn’s heroics when he had to don the gloves in Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Portsmouth.

Cosmin Moti

Moti went in goal in the last minute of extra-time in Ludogorets’ Champions League qualifier against Steaua Bucharest in 2014. The tie headed to penalties, and you can guess the rest.

Jan Koller

Standing at six foot seven, Koller was an obvious choice to go in goal for Borussia Dortmund when Jens Lehmann was sent off. And he unsurprisingly fared quite well.

Harry Kane

He just loves seeing the ball hit the back of the net.

When Harry #Kane was a goalkeeper 😁 pic.twitter.com/kDS1vzNXcS

— FootyRoom (@footyroom) July 16, 2018

Henri Lansbury and Carl Jenkinson

When Arsenal sent promising youngsters Lansbury and Jenkinson out on loan to West Ham, they probably didn’t expect the duo to be used as auxiliary goalkeepers.

READ: How TWO Arsenal outfielders ended up in goal on loan at West Ham

Vinnie Jones

He conceded three in a 6-1 defeat to Newcastle, but to be fair, it could have been worse were it not for Jones.

Kyle Walker

Atalanta faced seven goalkeepers in the Champions League in 2019-20. Walker was the only one to keep a clean sheet. We can only imagine Niall Quinn was watching on like a proud dad.

Chaker Alhadhur

Undoubtedly the highlight of AFCON 2021.

Comoros left-back Chaker Alhadhur was forced to go in goal for their AFCON last-16 tie with Cameroon.

He did this.

Chaker Alhadhur is our hero.pic.twitter.com/XBqGAVsVZi

— Planet Football (@planetfutebol) January 24, 2022