Real Madrid fans were asked to vote for the man they wanted to be their goalkeeper in the coming season, and the fans chose Keylor Navas by a resounding margin over the team's reported summer target, Manchester United’s David de Gea. In a survery conducted by Spanish newspaper AS, 79% of fans voted in Navas’ favour.
The Costa Rican has been Real's number one goalkeeper this season and has rewarded the faith put in him with brilliant performances in goal. Initially, Navas was supposed to be going to Manchester United in an part-money exchange deal with the Premier League giants, with David de Gea heading to Real Madrid. However, the Spaniard's move fell through at the last minute, leaving Navas in limbo, and not sure of his future at Real.
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But, he exhibited great professionalism, dedication and put in world-class performances to make the goalkeeper's spot his own after all the indecision. He has provided great shot-stopping, good ball handling and decisive leadership at the back, to help marshall the defence.
The fans have seen him in action and appreciate what he has added to the side. That is exactly why they want him to be their custodian for the coming season as well.
Navas one of the best goalkeepers in Europe currently
Keylor Navas has limited Real Madrid's opponents to 0.88 goals per game, a good average and is making 2.65 saves per game. He has also been in great form in the UEFA Champions League for them, having kept clean sheets in his last eight appearances, continuing from last season.
Real have conceded only three goals in the Champions League this season, and have kept their opponents goalless at the Santiago Bernabeu, and all the credit for that should go to Navas.
He is also 2nd in the all-time list of goalkeepers who have not conceded a goal for the most minutes in Champions League history, having shutout oppositions for 720 straight minutes, and trails Jen Lehmann, who held opponents goalless for 853 minutes, for the top spot.
Manager Zinedine Zidane will have a decision to make in the summer, with reports indicating that Real will go back in with a bid for De Gea, who has been in great form and is possible the best in the world right now. The Los Blancos fans have spoken and they want to persist with Navas as their goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.
