Twist in De Gea saga

Summer is here and so are the transfer rumours. While some start right near the end of the season, some start midway into the window. David de Gea’s started around midway last season when his performances were applauded while those of Iker Casillas at Real Madrid were questioned and criticised.

With Real Madrid involved, it’s only a question of when and how much which seems the case with David de Gea who is understood to have made up his mind of joining the Spanish giants.

However, there might be another twist in De Gea’s transfer saga with new manager Rafael Benitez confirming that Iker Casillas would not be leaving this summer. Also, De Gea does not want to contest with Spain and Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.

Casillas has faced a tough tenure over the past few years which started with Jose Mourinho choosing club number Adan over Casillas and then buying Diego Lopez in the January of 2013. Casillas did however comeback under Carlo Ancelotti with the Italian starting Casillas in Cup matches and Lopez for league games. Even though Lopez was outstanding for most of the games he started, Casillas managed to get his place back with new signing Keylor Navas managing occasional appearances. Casillas, though has been criticised by many following poor performances and is now seen as a liability. Some even believe that Casillas has extended his stay because of his status within the club.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s David de Gea has been in excellent form over the past 2 seasons. The 24 year old is seen the perfect replacement for Casillas, who is now 34, and has his heart set for a move back to Spain. While it was believed, Casillas would be leaving this summer, new manager Rafael Benitez has other ideas who has hinted that Casillas would stay.

Benitez revealed Real Madrid are planning to spend this summer. But he suggested current No.1 Iker Casillas is set to stay.

He said: “My technical team and I have been following and been in contact with the players. I have to say that first of all, the predisposition to work that all of them, Sergio, Iker, Cristiano (Ronaldo), (Gareth) Bale, Pepe, (Raphael) Varane… have shown me has been excellent.

“The first thing I’ve done is to listen, to know what went well and what went badly last year, to see what they thought could be improved and how they would like things to be done.

“Once we are all together, we will decide what is the best for the club and what is the best for each of them.

“With regards to who will play and where, we have to be together, train together and then decide.

“Iker, Sergio, Cristiano, Isco, Bale, unlike what is being said, none of them demands to play here or there, above all, because we have not decided the best system to make the most of the potential of each player.

“They have to be happy on the pitch to give us the best of themselves. We know what we want and we know how to adapt to certain situations.”

This may not change De Gea’s decision but Benitez has made sure that De Gea, if he arrives, would face stiff competition from not only Iker Casillas but also from Keylor Navas who is still at the club and was one of the standout players during the last World Cup. While, De Gea may have to fight for his place and may lose it after a few below par performances, he should know that he would to perform way below his standards if he has to lose his place to current United second choice keeper, Victor Valdes.