It’s believed that the arrival of Thibaut Courtois at Real Madrid is imminent, the Chelsea goalkeeper’s wish of moving closer to his family finally on the verge of being granted.
The imposing Belgian already knows what to expect when he arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu in terms of demands and expectations, but that will prove a motivational tool rather than the opposite.
As someone who plied his tried at the city’s other top-flight side, Atletico, for some years, he’ll also have to quickly get used to the stick that will come his way.
It’s certainly not an easy move professionally in that sense, but David De Gea could’ve trodden the same path so the cachet of playing for Los Blancos is obvious.
One thing is absolutely certain; he won’t have agreed to join the club to play second fiddle.
But it’s doubtful that new coach Julen Lopetegui has requested him either.
The new coach has barely had time to get his feet under the table, and even if he has managed to assess various areas of his squad, he’ll have noted that the goalkeeper role was well covered by Keylor Navas.
Zinedine Zidane steadfastly dug his heels in during last season when Florentino Perez tried to buy a keeper, Kepa from Athletic Club, against his wishes, the Frenchman stating that he and his squad were right behind Navas and that a new custodian wouldn’t be welcomed.
All that’s changed now is the coach, so it seems that Perez has finally got his way.
And that, frankly, spells the end for the Costa Rican.
It’s true that Navas does have moments in every season where it looks like his confidence has been shot to pieces, and the strength in depth, or lack of it, has meant that Real have had no option but to keep playing him.
However, and it’s important to note this, the custodian has always bounced back.
Indeed, he has been just as important for Real Madrid in their three Champions League successes as anyone else, and to demote him to reserve is a little harsh to say the least.
But as we all know, what Florentino wants, Florentino gets, and this situation is no different.
Courtois will likely be the starter for the UEFA Super Cup final against his old team and, unless the Belgian gets injured, we’re likely to see Navas in the Copa del Rey at best.
More likely will be a sale in the winter window because he’s just too good to be sitting on the bench.
Bonne fête nationale à tous les Belges! #redtogether 🇧🇪
