Steele has suffered consecutive Championship relegation’s.
Speculation suggests that Brighton and Hove Albion are on the brink of losing two goalkeepers.
Tim Krul and Niki Mäenpää have been sidelined following Maty Ryan’s outstanding debut season with the club.
He kept 10 league clean sheets, proving to be a pivotal part in Albion’s survival.
Krul and Mäenpää are likely to depart in search of more playing time, with both keepers approaching the latter stages of their careers.
While Dutch keeper Krul is highly regarded, and a worthy backup for any side, his possible replacement is not viewed in the same manner.
Jason Steele of Sunderland is believed to be on the brink of signing for Albion, for an as of yet undisclosed fee.
Steele is a Championship veteran, playing over 250 times for teams across the division.
However, the keeper has faced relegation with Blackburn and Sunderland in the past two seasons.
The 27-year-old is not exactly creating great hype:
Selling Jason Steele to Brighton is like selling a blind kid a dead budgie #safc
— :NeverBornAgain (@johnnyjenko) June 20, 2018
Lee Camp and Jason Steele to be Premier League goalies next season. You heard that right folks.
Steele who can't catch a ball and Camp who can't dive to his left side.
— Connor Bromley (@ConnorBromley) June 19, 2018
Despite this criticism, Steele has been defended by some:
Close to signing Jason Steele, isnt a bad backup keeper, done well at Boro and Blackburn so can’t be too bad #bhafc
— joe (@JG_UKWN) June 20, 2018
Just a thought re: Jason Steele.
Might be worth having faith in Ben Roberts and the recruitment department, and judging him on what he does for Albion once he signs.
Maty Ryan looked an iffy pick after Atletico + Leicester. #bhafc
Look at how that's turned out.— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) June 20, 2018
It’s fair to say that no player in a relegated side ever gets an easy ride.
Steele was inevitably going to be criticised by Sunderland fans for his place in their relegation.
It is easy to point the blame at a keeper, as they play in perhaps the most high-pressure position.
Also, Tim Krul, a player with vast Premier League experience, is a hard second choice keeper to replace.
Steele is also an ex-England Under-21 keeper, showing the potential he has sporadically displayed.
For his experience alone, he is surely a good backup signing, and an economical one at that.
