During the last transfer window, there were no shortage of reports about the move of Spanish national team goalkeeper David De Gea to Real Madrid. After unsuccessful negotiations, the management of the Spanish club felt a great disappointment, but it seems that this failed deal turned out to be a success not only for the main "white" goalkeeper Keylor Navas, but also for the whole team.
Keylor Navas arrived at Real after an impressive performance in the 2014 World Cup. His first season did not go well and the position of the main goalkeeper was taken by the club's symbol Iker Casillas. Throughout the 2014-15 season, the Costa Rican managed to play only 11 matches - less than at the beginning of this season.
However, the 28-year-old footballer did not rush to make hasty decisions and after a poor season, did not consider leaving. Hope dawned at the beginning of the summer, when I. Casillas officially announced his departure from Real, but after the good news came bad news.
The president of the royal club, Florentino Perez, wanted to see David De Gea, who played for Manchester United, as the main goalkeeper of Real. In addition, the situation for Keylor Navas became even more uncertain after the new team strategist called up Kiko Casilla. From the beginning, it was known that the latter would not be the main choice in goal, but most likely would become D. De Gea's backup.
Rumors about the Red Devils' goalkeeper spread all summer, but concrete actions were taken only at the end of the summer transfer window. Real started negotiating with Man Utd on the last day to include K. Navas in the deal. However, time was not on the side of the Spanish giants and the documents could not be arranged in time. So, the Costa Rican stayed at Real and soon agreed to a new contract with Man Utd to let D. De Gea leave.
It was clear that Keylor Navas had no intention of leaving for Man Utd. After this "horribly brilliant" night, the goalkeeper said: "I cried with my wife at home, I couldn't think about leaving."
Part of the Real fans were disappointed that they did not manage to agree in time for D. De Gea, but another part, after a fairly successful preseason, felt confidence in the goalkeeper from Costa Rica. Not without reason.
Rafael Benitez also had confidence in Keylor Navas and appointed him as the main goalkeeper, not K. Casilla. The decision proved itself from the start of the season. The first La Liga match of Real did not go very well and ended in a draw with Sporting Gijon, but for Keylor Navas, it was the beginning of a series of "clean sheets".
Former Levante goalkeeper managed to keep his net empty in the first five matches, and Real started to achieve convincing victories. The first goal was conceded in a tough match against Athletic Bilbao. In the 67th minute, it was scored by the Basque player Sabino.
Later, Navas' game only improved and in several matches, his impressive performance helped the "whites" to reach three points and a victory. At the moment, the goalkeeper has played 12 matches, saved two penalties, and conceded only three goals. He managed to keep his goal "dry" in nine matches and so far, Keylor Navas can boast that this season he did not have to pull the ball out of the net twice per game.
Especially in the last matches before Celta Vigo, where he conceded a goal, he saved the team from possible goals about five times. With newfound confidence, the Costa Rican not only contributed to his good game but also to Real's defense, which in recent seasons has made a fair amount of mistakes and conceded many goals.
After gaining confidence during the summer, Keylor Navas managed to withstand the pressure and become one of the best goalkeepers in Europe this season. There are fewer and fewer doubts that Real will not seek to acquire D. De Gea next summer, and Keylor Navas with his excellent form is approaching a new contract with the Spanish vice-champions.
Keylor Navas' excellent performance this season - before your eyes
Aivaras Katutis
