According to a recent report by the Evening Standard, Real Madrid have told their Costa Rican goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, he can leave the club at the end of this campaign. The same source has revealed that Zinedine Zidane prefers Thibaut Courtois as his undisputed number one keeper for the upcoming season.
In an interview back in April (via the Evening Standard), Zidane hinted that he could let one of his two goalkeepers leave when he said, “There won’t be a debate about the goalkeepers next year.
“It will be very clear.”
It won’t be a surprise to see the Galacticos boss opt for Courtois as he seems like the best option for them in the long-run. However, Los Blancos have enjoyed a successful spell with Navas lining up in between the sticks as they have won the UEFA Champions League three consecutive times in the past three years.
The former Levante keeper is vastly experienced at the international level having participated in 86 matches for Costa Rica during his career.
Navas’ Reserved Role In The Spanish Capital This Season
The Costa Rican shot-stopper has made 20 appearances for Madrid this term, conceding 19 goals while securing nine clean sheets across all competitions. It seems like Zidane has no room for nostalgia and is prepared to make some difficult decisions so that he has a strong squad capable of challenging on all fronts next season.
What Does The Costa Rican Goalie Offer On The Pitch?
Navas can still be a dependable keeper at the back as he has stellar reflexes which enables him to make world-class saves when his team needs him the most. Furthermore, he is a decent distributor of the ball and has a winning mentality which explains why he has been so successful at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium thus far.
The departure of Navas will reduce Zidane’s squad depth significantly so the French manager would have to find a suitable replacement who can be an ideal back-up for Courtois. As for Navas, a change in scenery could help him reignite his career in European football.
Navas’ Departure: A Big Mistake Or A Good Riddance?
All in all, it is neither a big mistake nor a good riddance for Los Blancos to let go of one of their most prized assets as Navas’s exit could turn out to be a bitter-sweet moment for both the club and the player.
