Watching Gavin Bazunu play for Ireland, it's hard to believe that he only recently turned 19-years old.
Playing in a position that is often dominated by older players, he shows the type of calmness and assuredness that you would rarely see from a teenager. It bodes very well for his future in the game.
Of course, it has long been known that he was a massively exciting prospect. He burst onto the scene as a 16-year old at Shamrock Rovers, establishing himself as the first choice goalkeeper.
That soon drew the attentions of all the major clubs in England, with Bazunu making the move across the Irish Sea to Manchester City in February of 2019.
While many expect that he will spend some time developing at The Etihad before moving on to another club, the player himself doesn't necessarily see it that way. Having impressed on loan at Rochdale this season, he believes he can become City's number one in the years to come.
Speaking to the media ahead of Ireland's game against Hungary tomorrow night, he said he would not have moved to Manchester City if he did not believe he could eventually usurp Ederson and become the club's first choice goalkeeper.
Bazunu also admitted that he is planning to go loan again next season, developing areas of his game such as his ability with his feet.
Yeah of course, that's 100 per cent my aim. I wouldn't have gone to Manchester City unless I thought I could be the number one goalkeeper.
Every day that's what I work towards, that's the goal...
I speak to Xabi [Mancisidor] who is the goalkeeping coach, I spoke to him today actually. I like to keep in contact with him, during the season I would speak to him once or twice a week and we would go over the clips from the previous matches. He gives me an insight on what he thinks I need to improve on.
Initially the plan was that I would be able to go in and train with them once or twice a week (while out on loan), but because of covid and all the restrictions that wasn't possible...
My plan is to go out on loan. I have spoken to Xabi and he is on the same page. At the moment we're just trying to get the ball rolling really, I haven't got too much information myself on where I'll be going.
I suppose we will be planning that over the next couple of weeks...
It's the new era of goalkeeping, goalkeepers being able to play with the feet and be comfortable playing at the back, then having the tactical knowledge of knowing when and where to play.
That's a massive strength of my game and I hope to keep building on that.
Even if Bazunu doesn't quite manage to become Manchester City's number one, there is little doubt that he will have a long and successful career.
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