After so many years chasing a top goalkeeper, Real Madrid signed Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea. Now Los Blancos two of the best goalkeepers of the world fighting for one position and it will be Julen Lopetegui’s call to decide which one should play. It will be polemic no matter what he decides but both will fight for minutes.
David De Gea, Alisson Becker, Kepa Arrizabalaga… The list of wished goalkeepers is very long. Finally Florentino Pérez has tied Courtois and put some pressure on Lopetegui’s shoulders. At the moment of the signing there were five goalkeepers in the squad -Keylor Navas, Thibaut Courtois, Kiko Casilla, Enzo Zidane and Andryi Lunin- although not all stay at Bernabéu. But the real battle will be between Courtois and Navas, who will play?
Perhaps Lopetegui will split the games between the two great goalkeepers. Carlo Ancelotti decided to give Casillas the Champions League and the Cup and Keylor Navas to play La Liga. It was long time ago, but perhaps Julen decides something similar to give importance to both goalkeepers.
Keylor Navas said after Courtois’ signing that he will never leave the club. The Costa Rican is use to fight for his role with Los Blancos and during the years he survived. Besides, Navas is at the top of his career with Real Madrid after winning three straight Champions League titles with unforgettable performances like the one against Bayern Munich at Bernabéu in the semi-finals of 2018. Real Madrid supporters also love him, so he will have many minutes and the right to fight for a position in the starting eleven.
However, the competition will be tougher than ever. Kiko Casilla or Iker Casillas at the end of his career were no rivals for Keylor Navas, but Courtois was named best goalkeeper in the last World Cup and he has shown great skills in his years at Chelsea and Atlético Madrid. Together with Oblak and Neuer he’s considered the best goalkeeper of the world.
Which one would you choose as the main goalkeeper?
