Stekelenburg critical of demotion

Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has criticised boss Zdenek Zeman for dropping him in recent weeks.

The Dutchman added that he found it ‘totally pointless’ bringing in another goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea.

Despite starting the season as the club’s number one, the 30-year-old has slid down the pecking order and admits it has been difficult to watch from the sidelines, which has fuelled speculation that he could join Fulham in the transfer window.

“The last game I played before the Coppa Italia semi-final was on December 11 against Atalanta. That’s six weeks, which is a lot to deal with,” he told Dutch site Sport Promotion.

“I had an injury, but then Goicoechea took my place. Why did Zeman lose faith in me? I don’t know, we never spoke about it and there is nothing I can do to change this situation.

“I thought it was totally pointless buying Goicoechea, considering we already had Bogdan Lobont in the squad. What was the need for a third goalkeeper?

“I want to play, not stay on the bench.”