Editorial (August 9, 2018) – The turbulent environment Real Madrid created as soon as they made official the sign of the Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois or Navas, Real Madrid have a hard choice to make
Courtois, 26, agreed to a €38.8 million ($45m) on Wednesday to put an end to four seasons at Chelsea.
However, there is much more than just a superb signing for Madrid this time. In fact, the Spanish club will become the first in football history that have two top five goalkeepers on their roster in the same season as the Costa Rican Keylor Navas remains on the team.
Though, the news about the Belgian international was not so good looking for Madrid fans around the world.
The Problem
Real Madrid has a world-class roster. They own the best midfield on the planet with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane keep the defense solid and the offensive looks awesome with Gareth Bale and the young rising star Marcos Asensio.
Nevertheless, the team is still hurt by Cristiano Ronaldo departure to Juventus.
It seems almost impossible to replace Ronaldo, but at least the club could have made better to find a goalscorer. Also, Marcelo alleged he wants out of Madrid and joins Ronaldo at Juventus, that will be a serious wound for the 13th-time European champions.
Marcelo is undoubtedly the best left-back in the world, he excels in the attacking side and that’s what’s makes him valuable. If he leaves the squad, the Spaniards have a problem.
Even if Marcelo stays, Madrid needs to search for a bench player who can do the job when the Brazilian is not able to play.
So that means, the goalkeeper position was not the priority for the recently UEFA Champions League crowns.
Keylor The Savior
It’s not a secret Keylor Navas did not have his greatest season, but the 31-year-old guardian always shows up in big moments.
The best proved is the last two Champions League finals, where the Costa Rican had two remarkable saves when the games were scoreless.
Navas managed to have six clean sheets in 25 games, averaged 2.64 saves per matches and allowed 31 goals last season in La Liga. Even so, the Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez has never really liked Navas at all.
Since his arriving in 2014, Navas has struggled with rumors with the team taking over from him despite he has displayed top performances along the way.
The Costa Rican does not deserve to be the second option, he can play at any club but if Madrid head coach Julen Lopetegui gives Courtois the starting spot, it’ll be better for Navas to find another team.
Courtois back in Spain
This season will mark Courtois’ return to La Liga after spending three seasons at Atletico Madrid from 2011 to 2014. In that span with Los Colchoneos, he won La Liga (2013–14), La Copa del Rey (2012–13), the UEFA Europa League (2011–12), the UEFA Super Cup (2012), and was part of the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League runner-up squad.
Now the Belgian international is ready to face another challenge in his career.
Courtois was the best goalkeeper in the World Cup. He was a key player in Belgium success while he shocked the world with his unbelievable performance against Brazil.
For a long time, Madrid pursued Manchester United’s goalkeeper David De Gea, although, Courtois turned out as Madrid preferred choice.
Courtois left the English Premier League with 15 clean sheets and 76 saves in 35 appearances last season. He also allowed 34 goals.
