In this episode I’m joined by AFC Wimbeldon goalkeeper Nik Tzanev. Nik is a living example of how the loan system and non-league football can play a huge role in the development of high-performance goalkeepers. After moving to the U.K at the age of 9, Nik began his journey to the EFL through the Crystal Palace academy and Brentford U23’s, before multiple loans prepared him to step into the Number 1 role at AFC Wimbledon. He talks about the importance of mastering your ego and why non-league football was so crucial in his development.

We discuss:

• The importance of sacrifice and why short-term sacrifice leads to long-term gains
• Discipline, planning and structuring your training and lifestyle around football
• Understanding the pressure of non-league football and rising to those demands
• The relationship with his dad and how a strong parent-goalkeeper relationship develops structure, discipline and consistency
• The struggles of being out of contract, maintaining consistent behaviours and recovering from injury  
• Dropping your ego, accepting the circumstances you face and finding a way to get the best out of your situation
• Being patient and managing your mindset when you’re out of favour
• How non-league football builds character and resilience in young goalkeepers
• Finding your voice and knowing when to voice your opinions in the dressing room
• Building the coach-goalkeeper relationship and the multiple roles a goalkeeper coach plays

This episode is a must for young goalkeepers and parents. It highlights the importance of the loan system and how senior football can exponentially improve a goalkeepers technical, tactical, physical and psychological qualities. This episode also demonstrates the sacrifices and lifestyle choices young, aspiring professional must make in order to reach the top.

If there is knowledge I wish I had when I was a young goalkeeper, you’ll find all of it in this one episode.

To keep up-to-date with what Nik is doing, you can follow him on:

@Nik_Tzanev (Twitter & Instagram)

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If you have any questions or you think you could add value to the podcast by becoming a guest, please contact me (kev) at:

thegoalkeepersmindset@hotmail.com

@theGKmindset (twitter)

@thegoalkeepersmindset (Instagram)