Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea has been unable to find a new team for three months. The tough footballer, who became a free agent after parting with Manchester United, has fewer and fewer options, which could lead to his retirement from professional sports at the age of 32. Sports is looking into what happened to the career of one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
A parting that was not expected
The goalkeeper's departure from Manchester United, which was hardly similar to his former self, became known in early July. The Red Devils, apparently, were not very interested in extending the contract with the winner of the Golden Glove of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2022/23 season (they almost halved the salary of 23 million euros per year) and bet on Andre Onana from Inter, who plays well with his feet.
The latter, by the way, started disgustingly in the new team: in the “freight train” the Cameroonian missed from the center of the field, and in the UEFA Champions League he allowed a scoring error in the lost match with Bayern.
Thus, De Gea's 12-year history at Manchester United came to an end. In 2011, the very young Spaniard attracted the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson and, having left Atlético Madrid, became a worthy replacement for the great Edwin van der Sar. Over the years, David played 545 matches in the Mancunian jersey, becoming the champion of England, winner of the National Cup, two English League Cups and three English Super Cups. In 2017, he also lifted the Europa League trophy over his head.
Moreover, De Gea left Old Trafford as a record holder. Manchester United» in the number of matches played «to zero» (190), surpassing Peter Schmeichel himself.
Club legends supported the goalkeeper
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«I don't want to criticize the goalkeeper who played brilliantly for United.» David had some difficult moments and I initially didn't think he was good enough. He was too thin and lacked physical strength. I scolded him a lot. But for 4-5 years he was very good and performed at a high level. De Gea was the best player in a terrible team, maintained a high level of play,” this is how ex-Manchester United footballer said goodbye to De Gea in a conversation with the Manchester Evening News. Harry Neville.
The Englishman came down hard on Manchester United for its disastrous seasons (United has not become the champion of England for ten years). The club also suffered from another Red Devils icon, Rio Ferdinand, who did not like the way the Mancunians said goodbye to their long-time “number one”:
“No one has the right to leave a club on their own terms, but don’t you want your players — especially those who have played long and well — to leave on a good note? I see that more and more players are leaving with an unpleasant aftertaste. It is not right. You have a responsibility to ensure that a player who has been at the club for so long leaves with dignity. David is probably sitting and thinking: “I never thought that I would leave the club like this.” Previously it was love — now, perhaps, business. This is disappointing… I hope everything gets better.» (Daily Mail)
And now the most amazing thing… De Gea remains on the sidelines for now. For two and a half months, the goalkeeper still did not find a new job, although there were options. At first it was called «Real». Los Blancos were looking for a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois, but they bet on Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was reported that Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke out against de Gea's arrival. Next were Bayern (the goalkeeper wanted to go to Munich, but coach Thomas Tuchel was not waiting for him there) and Inter (David himself refused to become a Milanese player).
Now the Spaniard remains the most expensive free agent: according to Transfermarkt, his transfer value is estimated at €13 million. The price is adequate, even clubs from the middle of the table of the top 5 European leagues will accept it. The question remains in the needs of David himself, who never ceases to maintain physical fitness, and the understanding of what he wants from his future in football.
Don’t be surprised if The Guardian’s insider turns out to be true and De Gea retires at 32 years old, never becoming the main goalkeeper in a major club after leaving England.
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“At first we followed David, but then unexpectedly at Schalke” Manuel Neuer sparkled. And I turned my attention to him. But the then goalkeeper coach of Manchester United Eric Steele continued to insist that it was David we needed… That in years to come he would play better than Neuer. What can I say? Eric was right. It’s good that I listened to his opinion.»
Sir Alex Ferguson
in an interview Goal.com