Rafa Benitez has revealed that Keylor Navas will be Real Madrid’s No 1 – until another “phenomenal” goalkeeper arrives.
The Costa Rican, a €10m signing from Levante last summer, spent his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu on the sidelines as Iker Casillas occupied first-choice status.
However, with the veteran since joining Porto, the Coach has confirmed that Navas will finally be given the chance to stake his claim in the squad at the International Champions Cup.
“[David de Gea] isn’t our player and therefore shouldn’t be spoken about,” he said at a Press conference in Melbourne on Friday.
“The goalkeepers we currently have are of an excellent standard, and we want to work on improving them every day if possible.
“I’m not worried about the goalkeeping situation. I know [the goal] is 7.32m x 2.44m and that doesn’t change, regardless of who I play there.
“I’ve spoken to Keylor [Navas] and he knows that, right now, he’s the No 1 by the virtue of his quality and experience.
“If another phenomenal goalkeeper arrives, we will work with him too. I’m optimistic about [the goalkeeping situation] and calm.
“We have good goalkeepers as it is, but if we can improve by having more competition in that position, it can only be a good thing for the team.
“On Iker, I want to make clear that he was the first player who I called and whom I’ve spoken to most since my arrival, either by phone or face-to-face.
“I sat with him and he told me he wanted to leave if a good team came calling. I was aware of all the negotiations.
“I wish him well because he’s a Real Madrid legend, but I hate to see Real Madrid divided by a debate, which must end now.
“We have to think about the club, and my responsibility as Coach is to make the fans support the team and that whoever plays in place of Iker helps us win many matches and lift many trophies.”
