Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has dropped a surprise bombshell by hinting that former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois won’t necessarily be his number one this season.
Keylor Navas was expected to be displaced as first choice in goal for Los Blancos this season after Courtois’ arrival, despite some solid performances in recent times to help the club win three Champions League finals in a row.
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Courtois, however, is generally thought to be the superior player after shining at Chelsea and for the Belgian national team, but when asked about the situation in goal, Lopetegui suggested he’d have to be patient.
Navas has now been preferred to Courtois for three games in a row, and it remains to be seen when he could get the nod over the Costa Rican.
Lopetegui did not exactly do much to reassure the 26-year-old that he’d be automatic first choice any time soon, talking instead about how it’s good to have competition and praising Navas’ performances, suggesting he has no reason to change things in that area.
‘It’s not a situation that’s easy to understand, but it’s simple enough to explain,’ he is quoted in the Metro.
‘I’ve got some really good options in goal and there are no problems in that area. We’ll decide what’s best for each game.
‘Keylor got the nod today and did very well. There’s great competition and that makes us stronger in the goalkeeping department. I’ve got some thoughts in my mind, but I’m not going to share them.
‘Over the course of the season, I’ll look for solutions to solve the next immediate challenge.’
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