Those relatively new to La Liga may be shocked to know that Atletico Madrid used to a metaphor for disaster and the one place where they really struggled was at the back. Some Atletico defensive displays could have been described as comical but in 2009 the club set about changing that when they signed one of Spain’s most promising goalkeepers from under the nose of Barcelona, Sergio Asenjo.
In time it would be a deal that some would class as a flop but Rojiblanco fans hold no regrets as it led to the emergence of David De Gea. The rest is, as they say, history. And, there is no sign of them closing the book on this youngster anytime soon. Yet, at times it has looked like things won’t pan out for the ‘keeper.
In 2009, Atletico pulled out all the stops to sign Asenjo from Valladolid. Barcelona were also interested but Atleti convinced the player dubbed ‘the new Iker Casillas’ by promising first team football. Asenjo, who had just turned 20, was seen as a turning point as the club went in search of silverware for the first time in 14 years. Also, and more importantly, he was a sign that they were finally going to address their defensive woes.
But, there were questions. A young De Gea had been seen for years as the future of the club yet was suddenly being discarded. Why? Well, the board at the club were not convinced by De Gea’s performances for Atletico B and felt he lacked the ability to become a top-flight goalkeeper. They believed that Asenjo and not De Gea was the one to lead them forward. Not for the first time, the Rojiblanco powers that be would be embarrassed.
When Asenjo left to play in the Under 20 World Cup and second-choice keeper Roberto got injured, De Gea got an unexpected opportunity to prove the Atletico board wrong. In his first home game he gave away a penalty but saved it, becoming a fan favourite. De Gea would play a few more games between the sticks but when Asenjo came back, he was left watching from the bench.
The former Valladolid stopper did little to win fans over. Fans first became angry when he left just as the season had started to play in the underage World Cup. Whilst he argued that he had no choice, Barca’s Bojan had asked not to be picked and his request was granted. Why hadn’t Asenjo done something similar? Asenjo’s problems were only starting.
With Atletico performing poorly in the League and in the Champions League, Asenjo’s ability was being constantly questioned. Abel Resino was sacked and Quique Sanchez Flores stepped into the breach. De Gea was his preferred No. 1 and whilst it wasn’t always pretty, he led the club to Europa League success. Ironically, after believing they would never make it, De Gea and his understudy at Atletico B, Joel Robles started and made the bench that night. Asenjo was unfortunately injured.
The following season was supposed to be one where the club built on their success but they failed. With the taxman demanding the club reduce its huge bill, Atletico were forced to sell key players. One of those was De Gea. He was in demand, even though he had only played one full season as a regular starter and was still only 20.
Manchester United were seen as his likely destination but De Gea was hesitant. In the end he joined the club and Atleti fans were annoyed by his departure and some even turned on him but that was to be the least of his worries.
At United his early struggles are well documented. So too were his off the field activities. The tabloids constantly followed De Gea and it took its toll. But, he knuckled down and while the first season may have left many in doubt, his second was very convincing and his third saw him win Player of the Year from both his colleagues and fans.
An interview with former Coach Eric Steele revealed the keeper had improved because he had changed his diet and attitude. De Gea was accused of eating ‘too many tacos’ and of being lazy. When David Moyes dismissed Steele, De Gea didn’t hide his disappointment but that soon turned to anger as De Gea was furious as Steele’s comments were published.
He allegedly phoned his former coach to demand an explanation. He was hurt after being accused of being lazy and felt that Steele should have been more compassionate to his struggle in adapting to a new country and language.
As is normally the case with De Gea, his dealings with Steele were done in private. Whilst he does like to use social media, he is also a very private person who likes to surround himself with family and loved ones. It was this support that helped him get through the dark days at United and they are now just as delighted as De Gea is as he proves his doubters wrong and goes from strength to strength.
Before he went to United, De Gea was seen as the future No. 1 for Spain but it was believed he would have to wait. With Victor Valdes being injured and Casillas having a bad World Cup, many see his time coming sooner than expected. Casillas recently announced that he expects to retire from international football in 2016 and so Vicente del Bosque is slowly breaking De Gea in.
Whereas at United rotation hurt him, with Spain it is working in his favour, giving him vital experience but also easing him into a role that will be hard to follow, a role that there is probably nobody better prepared to take on. Nothing is ever sure in football but should De Gea finally claim Spain’s No. 1 shirt, nobody can say he doesn’t deserve it or didn’t work hard for it.
