Navas will not leave Real Madrid despite Courtois’ impending arrival
Real Madrid are closing in on Thibaut Courtois but Keylor Navas has no intentions to leave, claims AS.
The European champions have made a breakthrough in talks with Chelsea but Maurizio Sarri’s side need to sign a replacement before Madrid can finalise a deal for Courtois.
Navas has been Madrid’s first choice goalkeeper for the last three seasons but has had to deal with constant rumours of being replaced throughout that period.
The Costa Rica international was part of a deal to move to Manchester United in exchange for David De Gea in 2015 before a deal sensationally collapsed.
Zinedine Zidane rallied to keep Navas but the Frenchman’s departure has finally opened up the door for a high profile name to replace the 31-year-old.
Courtois’ impending arrival would normally force Navas to find regular first-team football elsewhere but he is determined to compete for the No.1 spot at Madrid.
In the last four years only four goalkeepers have made more saves than Navas in La Liga (260).
Real Madrid used 6 different formations last season, each in less than 12 matches, according to this website. The most frequently used formation was a 4-4-2 in 11 matches. Real Madrid used a 4-3-3, a 4-3-1-2 and a 4-1-2-1-2 in 9, 8, and 5 matches, assuming differences between these formations matter on the field. Real Madrid could try using fewer different formations next season.
Espanyol allowed two fewer goals than Real Madrid. Real Madrid was 6th in goals allowed in the Spanish League.
Getafe also allowed fewer goals than Real Madrid. Real Madrid was 5th in the Spanish League by goals conceded. Atletico Madrid led with 22 goals allowed. Real Madrid conceded twice as many goals.
Keylor Navas: 31 years old 27 starts 31 goals allowed 83 saves. Thibault Courtois: 26 years old 35 starts 34 goals allowed 76 saves. I do not see Courtois to be an instant improvement on Navas .I had to use another website to get goals conceded. Real Madrid allowed 44 goals in its 38 Spanish league matches. This is the most goals conceded in the 9 seasons Ronaldo played there. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia allowed fewer goals. This is cause to suspect Real Madrid could make a change to reduce its goals conceded. There are positions other than goalkeeper to consider. Sergio Ramos is older than Keylor Navas by 8-9 months. Real Madrid lacks a competitive center defender to provide injury or suspension cover and rotation options for Ramos and Varane. It may lack a viable long-term replacement for Ramos also. A young, proven center defender could be of more value in the short term than a similar goaltender. A formation change is another option.