Manchester United have been linked to Atletico Madrid’s shot-stopper David de Gea, pretty much since the moment their keeper incumbent, Edwin Van der Sar let it be known that he was set to retire at the season. The latest news reports suggest that these links have substance and that United are genuinely interested in De Gea – interested enough to put in a bid.
Atletico have revealed to the Press that both United and Chelsea have made offers for De Gea – with the Red Devils offering £17.8m for the highly-rated Spaniard. Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin said: “We’ve received offers from United and Chelsea [for De Gea]. He also has an offer from us to renew his contract. We’d like him to stay, but David’s future is entirely in his own hands.”
It seems, then that in goalkeeping terms at least, De Gea is Manchester United’s number one target this summer. But is he the right, or at least best option available?
Having watched De Gea play on a number of occasions, I acknowledge that he is the ‘great’ shot-stopper that everybody lauds him as. He moves along his goal-line like a cat, is extremely agile, has great reflexes and can fling himself about with ease. But is this enough to merit both his exorbitant price-tag and his role as number one keeper at United?
For all his talent, De Gea is by no means the complete keeper – firstly he doesn’t command his area as strongly as he might. He’s not all that vocal and that doesn’t help when it comes to organising the defence. He can also look a bit flustered when it comes to dealing with crosses and he’ll have to deal with many more crosses in the Premier League than he’s accustomed to in La Liga. Of course, these are all things that can be ironed out over time – but for the kind of money that Sir Alex Ferguson and United are putting forward; shouldn’t they be getting something approaching the complete package?
Can United afford to wait and see how this young keeper develops?
United also need a keeper who can distribute the ball well from the back. They’re accustomed to Van der Sar, who is more than willing to operate as a ‘sweeper-keeper’ and who spreads the ball with expertise, but will no doubt have memories of Ben Foster who would all too often kick the ball out of play and place United on the back foot. United use the goalkeeper a lot more than Atletico Madrid do when it comes to maintaining possession – something De Gea just won’t be accustomed to.
Spending big money on a goalkeeper is always a risk. At the moment, I just don’t see De Gea justifying his price-tag. Why don’t United go after Shay Given who isn’t getting a look in at Manchester City? He’s 34-years-old, has some years left, has proven himself to be a Premiership keeper of the highest quality and would be available for half what United are willing to shell out for De Gea.
Is David De Gea really the best option?
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