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Courtois’ dream Real Madrid move turning into a nightmare?

Following a long drawn out saga which threatened to ruin Courtois’ relationship with the Chelsea fans, he completed his ‘dream move’ to Real Madrid on transfer deadline day for a reported deal worth up to £35m.

However having joined the club who last season famously won their third Champions League in a row, his start to life at the Bernabeu hasn’t quite been what he would have expected when he made the switch.

Sunday’s game against Girona was Real Madrid’s third game since Courtois joined them and the third game in a row which has seen him sat on the bench wondering when he will get his chance between the sticks.

There were a few raised eyebrows when Real Madrid seemed to turn their backs on Keylor Navas who has helped them to their impressive Champions League haul but new manager Julen Lopetegui has kept faith in the Costa Rican and says the goalkeeping situation is very easy to explain.

‘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.

Whilst no player is ever guaranteed game time, surely Courtois had discussed his ambitions to become the number 1 prior to leaving his home at Chelsea and will be expecting to get his chance sooner rather than later.

It could be that Lopetegui is simply waiting for his opportunity to justify the switch but Navas seems intent on making sure that he doesn’t make it easy for him and continues to put in impressive displays both with hands and feed, adding an assist to his tally in their last outing.

One thing is for sure, Courtois won’t be happy to sit on the bench for long off the back of an impressive display at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where he was crowned goalkeeper of the tournament.

 

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Daz @ KeeperPortal

Owner and creator of Keeper Portal, an FA qualified goalkeeping coach as well as being pretty impressive at keeping balls out of a net.

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