Having fired five different teams to promotion out of the Championship, Kevin Phillips knows a thing or two about what makes a good goalkeeper in the second tier of English football. So when Phillips describes Carl Rushworth as being phenomenal on loan at Coventry City from Brighton this season, it is worth listening to.
The former Sunderland, West Brom, Birmingham City and Crystal Palace striker also believes Rushworth is good enough to become Albion number one next season.
Rushworth has kept nine clean sheets in 28 appearances for Coventry this season, including setting a club record of 613 minutes without conceding.
That ties him with ex-Albion goalkeeper Christian Walton at Ipswich Town and Bristol City number one Radek Vitek for the most shutouts in the Championship
His shot stopping has proven particularly impressive. Rushworth has conceded 5.7 goals less than expected based on the quality of shots he has faced, giving him the best goals prevented statistics in the division.
It leaves him a long way clear of Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who sits second in the rankings. And in terms of save percentages, Rushworth keeps out 73.0% percent of the shots he faces. A respectable sixth-best across the Championship.
The inspired form of Rushworth is a major reason why the Sky Blues have spent most of the campaign top of the table.
Coventry currently sit eight points clear of Ipswich in third, leaving them in a very promising position to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
Which may then leave Brighton, Coventry and Rushworth with something of a dilemma over what to do in the summer.
What Kevin Phillips said about Carl Rushworth
Phillips was speaking to Best Betting Sites about Rushworth and what the future might hold for him come the end of what has been a stellar 2025-26 campaign so far.
“I see him definitely being able to take that number one spot at Brighton,” said Phillips. “I have seen him quite a few times this season, covered him a few times, and his stats have been phenomenal.”
“For crosses, shot saves and distribution, he is very, very good. He is clearly for me the best goalkeeper in the Championship.”
“Brighton have got a very good goalkeeper already with Bart Verbruggen. I think the biggest positive for Brighton is that if Verbruggen were to move on this summer, they have Rushworth.”
“He has been playing week in, week out. He has been getting glowing accolades from everyone who watches the Championship.”
“I think he could step in quite easily and be Brighton number one. He fits the style too and the way Brighton want to play.”
“If Coventry do not go up, clearly he will not be with them next season. He is too good for another year in the Championship.”
“But if Coventry do win promotion, I am pretty sure Frank Lampard will be trying everything to keep him on board. I don’t know whether that will be enough though because I think he will probably end up as Brighton number one.”
Will Rushworth become Brighton number one?
As Phillips eluded to, what happens with Verbruggen may well decide whether Rushworth becomes first choice at the Albion.
Verbruggen has reportedly been a long-term target of Bayern Munich to replace Manuel Neuer when the German decides to hang up his gloves.
In a sign of how highly regarded Verbruggen is, Barcelona and Real Madrid have also shown alleged interest. As have Spurs. Although why Verbruggen would want to downgrade himself with a backwards step from Brighton to Tottenham, I don’t know.
Verbruggen was in excellent form for the Albion through November and December (less so against Fulham at the weekend).
If he keeps up the level of performance which was single-handedly earning Brighton points in the lead up to Christmas, interest from one of those European giants (not Spurs) may turn into something concrete.
The chances of a big money may also increase with a good World Cup for the Netherlands. Presuming he and everyone else heading to the USA do not get shot in the head by ICE.
In terms of how Brighton react should an offer come in, the presence of Rushworth might leave them more open to a sale than with other key players.
When Manchester United wanted to sign Carlos Baleba last summer for example, the Albion were reluctant to sanction a move as replacing Baleba would have been extremely difficult.
Not so much if Verbruggen departs and Rushworth is as ready to take over the number one shirt as everyone seems to think he is.
What if Verbruggen remains a Brighton player?
Should a move for Verbruggen not materialise, it will leave Brighton with a potentially difficult decision over what to do in the goalkeeper department.
Keep Rushworth at the club and neither he nor Verbruggen are going to be happy playing back up to the other when both have proven themselves good enough to be a Premier League number one.
Fabian Hurzeler (or whoever is manager) could try and give them equal minutes by bringing back the goalkeeper rotation of Roberto De Zerbi from the 2023-24 season.
The general consensus, however, is that De Zerbi swapping the gloves between Verbruggen and Jason Steele led to an unsettled defence.
It was one of the reasons why Brighton did not keep a Premier League clean sheet until over halfway through the campaign.
Could Coventry sign Rushworth again for 2026-27?
Rushworth could depart on loan again. The difficulty there is where does he go? A fourth Championship loan seems pointless when he is already proven himself the best goalkeeper in the division.
A move to a top flight club abroad or joining a fellow Premier League team for a season would be an option. Coventry winning promotion and Rushworth spending another year with the Sky Blues – this time in the top flight – would be many people’s idea of an ideal turn of events.
But then there is the question of would Rushworth even want to go out on loan again? A sixth temporary switch may hold no appeal for a goalkeeper approaching his 25th birthday who might be looking to settle down with long-term stability at one club as first choice.
Rushworth might conclude this is the summer for him to seek a permanent move to become number one somewhere.
Coventry again could enter the equation, boosted by Premier League riches and being able to offer top flight football. Could Brighton stand in his way with his contact expiring in 2027? Even if the Albion do have an extra year option.
Whilst there are plenty of questions over Rushworth’s future, there is no doubt over just how good he is. Just ask Kevin Phillips.