Having played 360 minutes of World Cup football for Switzerland without conceding a goal, Pascal Zuberbuhler is right to feel that he should be West Bromwich Albion's first-choice goalkeeper.
With Tomasz Kuszczak likely to join Manchester United this week, Zuberbuhler will become one of the few players at The Hawthorns to be virtually certain of a place in the starting line-up.
Bryan Robson, the Albion manager, has long been convinced of Zuberbuhler's ability, having signed him from FC Basle on July 1. It was no surprise, then, that the goalkeeper made his debut for Albion against Hull City last Saturday and he seems set to keep his place away to Cardiff City tonight.
Zuberbuhler (pictured) played in all four of Switzerland's matches in the World Cup in Germany in June - they lost on penalties to Ukraine in the second round - and his performances helped to ensure that his national team were defensively sound.
Robson has no doubts that Zuberbuhler is of Premiership standard. But Kuszczak was superb for Albion last season - most notably against Everton in the final match of the campaign - and his possible departure has hindered the bid for a swift return tot he Premiership.
"When a player [Kuszczak] has got a situation where he can go to a club like Manchester United, focusing on a match is very difficult," Robson said. "And so, for me, that is why I brought in Pascal Zuberbuhler, who is vastly experienced and a top international goalkeeper.
"He is focused because he wants to get in the Premiership and that is why he has got the chance and Tomasz is on the bench."
Robson says that a decision concerning the future of Kuszczak will be made this week. Manchester United have offered £2.5 million to sign him but that is short of Albion's valuation.
Jeremy Peace, the Albion chairman, will meet David Gill, the United chief executive, to discuss a possible transfer. But Kuszczak will not be sold if United do not increase their offer to meet Albion's valuation.
"There is only one question mark about the future of any player in my squad and that is regarding Tomasz Kuszczak," Robson said. "I have told the chairman what I believe is the correct decision. It is up to the board of directions. They run this club. It is their decision what to do with Tomasz.
"But I think sometime this week the decision will be made, one way or the other, about Tomasz. As a club, we need to close that deal one way or the other and move on so we can all get focused on the season."
Whatever happens, Robson has confirmed that Guiseppe Rossi, the United striker, will not be joining Albion. The Albion manager hoped that a deal could be arranged whereby Kuszczak went to Old Trafford and Rossi moved to The Hawthorns on loan for the season.
"Any potential deal for Rossi will now definitely not happen," Robson said. "Alex Ferguson has said that Rossi will be staying at United and that the player is part of their first-team squad. Rossi won't be part of the deal."
Robson was impressed with Albion's 2-0 victory at home to Hull City last Saturday and he stressed the need to build on the confidence from that performance.
Cardiff at Ninian Park will be more difficult, especially given Darren Purse, Riccardo Scimeca and Kevin Campbell played under Robson for Albion.
There is also added spice given that Jason Koumas, the Albion player whose wages have been suspended because he refuses to train with the club, seems set to join Cardiff. He spent most of last season on loan with the Welsh club.
"Cardiff know the price for Jason," Robson said. "They have known the price for a year and a half now. Koumas does not want to speak to anyone at our club so his wages are suspended because he does not want to work. I have tried to speak to him and he will not speak to me."
Robson will welcome the chance to renew acquaintances with Purse, Scimeca, and Campbell.
"They are good professionals," Robson said. "Kevin did a great job for us last season."
