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.
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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.
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No of Appearances
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Clean Sheets
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Avg. Saves Per Game
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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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