After
much Speculation former Levante Goalie finally puts pen on paper and signed for
the richest club in the world. Navas who
had a decent World Cup Campaign and was considered as one of the best goal
keepers in Brazil. Navas was tipped as the best goalie of last season ahead of
Atletico Madrid’s Courtois. But after his signing, Real Madrid has got
themselves a problem. The European Champions have three goalkeepers at the helm now
and only two weeks before the La Liga season kicks off to decide who’ll be in
goal.
He
also became the first ever Costa Rican player to play for Real Madrid.
Navas
was the goal keeper who was in top form last season with the likes of Courtois.
Playing for a mid-table side like Levante and claiming 17 clean sheets, his
heroics helped a low scoring Levante side to secure a mid-table finish. Many
Football Pundits rated him higher than Atletico’s Courtois. Even though the Spaniard had more clean sheets,
but Navas was handier when it comes to saves per game and clearing the ball
away.
Navas
made the most number of saves (160 in 37 Matches) in Europe’s top 5 leagues
last season.
Costa
Rica were in the group of death. But after conceding 1 goal in 3 group matches,
the South American side topped in a group where England, Italy and Uruguay were
all below them. Navas performed when it mattered the most. He conceded only two
goals in 5 matches which makes him a good signing for Real Madrid.
Navas
didn’t conced a single goal against the likes of European Power Houses Italy,
England and Netherlands.
While Madrid veteran Casillas
was mostly on bench last season and made just 2 League appearances. But his
performance in Champions League was impressive. He kept 6 clean sheets last
season in UEFA Champions League which helped Real Madrid to gain ‘La Decima’.
Diego Lopez enjoyed more playing time than his Spanish counter-part. He was an
integral part of Ancelloti’s Starting XI. In 36 appearances, he kept 16 clean
sheets.
But it seems that the time of Iker
Casillas at Real Madrid has come to an end. After a disappointing World Cup,
the Spanish Goal Keeper is in hot water these days. Carlo Ancelotti will look
to replace him this summer and after the signing of Keylor Navas, it becomes
more imminent.
So it is between Navas and Lopez to
fight for a first team spot.
No
of Appearances
|
Clean
Sheets
|
Avg.
Saves Per Game
|
Avg.
Goals Conceded
|
|
Diego Lopez
|
36
|
16
|
2.11
|
1.00
|
Keylor Navas
|
37
|
17
|
3.81
|
1.05
|
Conclusion:
It is important to note here that Navas had to play with a shaky defence while Lopez had a world class defence for backup. Even than Navas kept more clean sheets than the Real Madrid Goal Keeper. Navas had faced most shots on target and kept more saves than his Spanish Counter-part. So it’ll be an interesting battle between Navas and Lopez and whoever shows even a minor negligence can lose the faith of his manager.
It is important to note here that Navas had to play with a shaky defence while Lopez had a world class defence for backup. Even than Navas kept more clean sheets than the Real Madrid Goal Keeper. Navas had faced most shots on target and kept more saves than his Spanish Counter-part. So it’ll be an interesting battle between Navas and Lopez and whoever shows even a minor negligence can lose the faith of his manager.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
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