“This is a rare pressconference, different to the ones I’ve done. It is difficult (to leave) but I’m proud to have belonged to this club, i have had colleagues who have always supported me”. These are the words of De Gea who finally just a fortnight ago admitted that he is leaving Atlético Madrid for Manchester United. Let’s face it, his career has been a short one, so far and the real challenges lay ahead of him. Ok, so he made it at Atlético Madrid but that doesn´t neccesarily mean that he will make it in England too. On the positive side, he is by far Spain’s most promising goalkeeper though, and with that said we all know the great goalkeepers that nation has produced these last couple of years.
His goal is to become Van der Sar’s long-term replacement and that is something that may be easier said than done. He’s got some of the “characteristics” of a Man Utd goalkeeper already. But the rest he will have to learn, and it’s always easier to be brilliant against Almería or Getafe than in what is considered the worlds best leauge, Premier Leauge. With that said i don’t think he will turn out a flop. His ultimate goal? To be the national team’s keeper of course, but with Casillas maintaining plenty of momentum of his own, that will be a harder nut to crack than nailing down the keeper position for United.
“I was there with my family and then i took the decision. There was nothing secret about it.”
Sure, you can always angle it like that but the fact is that De Gea was, according to the media already a done deal a month ago. There were also conflicting reports in the Spanish press about whether the player would possibly consider another season in Spain. I tend to be critical and just say it was a cover up, mostly done for the benefit of both Manchester United and Atletico. Everyone knew back in May that the player would sign a lucrative deal, but it’s always better to make it official at the “right time”.
Costing 29M€ (according to daily AS), it´s a heavy figure for someone who, although having had a breakthrough season, mostly because of Sergio Asenjo’s dip over the past year, yet is unproven on the big stages. It still remains to be seen how he’ll perform in the Champion’s League. It has also been reported that Sir Alex is building his last big team this summer, before he calls it a quit in a couple of years. This is what De Gea had to say about the future to reporters:
“I think that the Premier League fits my game very well and i hope to adapt quickly”. I do think he’ll be proved right but fan’s must remain patient. After all, Van der Sar left a legacy that will take time to fill.
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