Navas to get Madrid nod?

Speculation is mounting in the Spanish press that Carlo Ancelotti will hand Keylor Navas his competitive Real Madrid debut in Tuesday’s visit of Elche.

The 27-year-old joined Los Blancos from Levante during the summer, following an impressive World Cup campaign with Costa Rica, but he has yet to displace Iker Casillas between the posts.

However, according to Marca, the veteran custodian has already been informed that he will be the sacrificial lamb against the Franjiverdes, as the Italian plans to rotate his squad in the coming weeks.

“Before the match against Elche, I will change something,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“All the players know that there are now many options, thus rotation is normal, as [Alvaro] Arbeloa saw [against Basel] on Wednesday.

“[He took the decision] as rotation, not a punishment. As it were, I spoke with him beforehand.

“I think Iker is fine. Clearly, as the President has said, the squad is very important.

“Keylor is in very good condition, and we are very happy with him. I think his move was a very wise choice, as he is a top-class goalkeeper, but for the time being, Iker plays.”

Navas was given special dispensation by Costa Rica to miss the international break and stay in Madrid to improve his match fitness, after he started pre-season late.

He was expected to figure exclusively in the Copa del Rey, but due to Casillas’ perceived erratic form and increasing dissent from supporters, Navas’ transition into the first team appears to have been sped up.

The Spain No 1 was jeered by a section of Real supporters during the side’s 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Atletico Madrid on September 13, prompting Florentino Perez to leap to his defence.

"I worry about the whistles that I hear at the Bernabeu. Iker is the best goalkeeper in the history of our Club,” the President said on Sunday.

“He doesn’t deserve these whistles, so we must let him work without pressure and accept the choice of the Coach.”

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