Dutch shot-stopper Michel Vorm was snapped up by Swansea for just GBP1.5 million in the summer from FC Utrecht and he has gone on to make a hugely-impressive start to life at the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm is fast looking like the signing of the season in the Barclays English Premier League. The Dutch shot-stopper was snapped up by the south Wales outfit for just GBP1.5 million in the summer from FC Utrecht and he has gone on to make a hugely-impressive start to life at the Liberty Stadium.
Vorm kept his sixth home clean sheet, as the Swans beat Fulham 2-0, and he has conceded just two goals at home so far this season — the lowest in the EPL.
Some eye-catching saves have helped the top flight's newcomers to 11th in the table in their debut season in the EPL, although it has been his two crucial penalty saves that have propelled Vorm into the public's attention.
Vorm, who gained the nickname ‘penalty killer' in his homeland before his transfer, produced a superb save to keep out Ben Watson's low spot kick to help Swansea secure their first point since promotion in a 0-0 draw at home to Wigan in August.
He followed this up with another fine display against the Cottagers in Swansea's most recent game. Brilliant saves from the big Dutchman denied both Bryan Ruiz and Andrew Johnson, before he produced an athletic diving stop to his right to stop Clint Dempsey's penalty from levelling the scores with four minutes to go.
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the signing of Vorm as a “steal” following his latest heroics and believes he has secured one of the best goalkeepers in the top flight.
“People will tell you that a good goalkeeper will get you up to 10-plus points and everyone knows we have a top keeper,” said Rodgers.
“It was a great bit of business for us, it's a steal. He is a good guy, very professional. His family have settled well in Swansea and he is enjoying life in this fantastic league.”
Rodgers also paid special praise to the penalty save against Fulham, which allowed his team to go on and add a late second goal to record for their fourth home win of the campaign.
“The speed with which he got there to make the save (to deny Dempsey) was exceptional and he deserves the acclaim, it was very important for us,” added Rodgers about his goalkeeper. “That penalty was a key moment. You see so many goalkeepers try and steal two or three yards off their line but he was near enough to his line going the right way and used a strong arm.”
Vorm, who studies the trends of different penalty takers in the lead up to matches, is currently the deputy to Roma keeper Maarten Stekelenburg in the Netherlands team but the 28-year-old wants the number one jersey at the Euro 2012 finals in Ukraine and Poland.
Vorm was an unused substitute when the Netherlands lost to Spain in the 2010 World Cup final, but if he continues to produce top-class performances for the Swans then a starting berth cannot be far away.
His athleticism and agility have helped him stand out from the crowd, but Vorm has no intention of resting on his laurels, and says continued focus from him and his defence will be vital if Swansea are to retain their top-flight status.
“I don't think being relaxed is a good attitude to have,” said Vorm.
“We've won our games and got clean sheets because of our good attitude and focus, so we have to keep that because when that happens it's hard to beat us.”
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