Injuries and doubts made Real Madrid dive into the tricky goalkeeping market

On the sunny Madrid morning of 10 August 2023, Thibaut Courtois took a wrong step in training. His left knee went haywire, and the hearts of Real Madrid fans sank with the severe injury to the declared best goalkeeper in the world before and after the injury.

Months have passed, a little over five from that fateful training session, and the club's leaders are back to square one. They watch with nostalgia the day-to-day recovery of the Belgian (looking ahead to next season), analyze what the market holds, and view with satisfaction the emergence of the giant (in every sense) from the youth academy, Fran Gonzalez, along with others who will soon appear.

In the neighbourhood of Valdebebas, they knew that replacing the number one in the imaginary world ranking of goalkeepers was an impossible task. Comparisons have been inevitable and are always odious. Everything is proceeding normally in the recovery of the Belgian, but time must be given to dispel all uncertainties. No hurry.

The current situation in the goalkeeping department speaks of Courtois being out of service, Kepa Arrizabalaga with an expiration date on his loan, and Andriy Lunin with a contract until 2025 and doubts surrounding him. That's why they are looking at the market with no more than that.

Kepa was an undisputed starter for Carlo Ancelotti until the muscle injury he suffered in the warm-up before their UEFA Champions League match against Sporting Braga last year. Ancelotti did not favour changes in goalkeeping, but he had no choice but to make them due to the injury to the Basque, who got off a plane bound for Munich to fulfil his old dream of playing for Real Madrid. Kepa is his first critic. He knows he lacked that standout performance to convince everyone, but that doesn't mean he has lowered his arms for a second. He works and gives his all in every training session. Not everyone does.

Lunin did not perform the Copa del Rey derby well. It seemed that he had won everyone's favour, but he had left doubts. In his favour is the fact that he turned the situation around, but when he had it in his hands, he didn't confirm it either. Fran Gonzalez's 18 years act as a brake, but the truth is that the academy player is convincing everyone, starting with Ancelotti and Real Madrid's goalkeeping coach Fran Llopis.

In this situation, Real Madrid is obliged to look at the market, but always respecting Courtois and his knee, not to mention the five months left in the competition and what Kepa and Lunin can demonstrate. They have time, but from Valdebebas, they are looking at the goal, seeking future alternatives, although who knows, maybe they already have one at home now or in a few days.

LA LIGA

Friday

Alaves - Cadiz 1-0 (0-0)

/Rioja 51/

Saturday

Rayo Vallecano - Las Palmas 0-2 (0-1)

/Moleiro 35, Munoz 83/

Villarreal - Mallorca 1-1 (1-0)

/Sorloth 45+1 - Llabres 90+1/

Valencia - Ath. Bilbao 1-0 (0-0)

/Duro 60/

Celta - Sociedad 0-1 (0-1)

/Mendez 11/

Sunday

16.00: (2.25) Osasuna (3.20) Getafe (3.70)

18.15: (1.15) Real Madrid (8.00) Almeria (16.0)

20.30: (4.50) Betis (3.60) Barcelona (1.90)

23.00: (1.75) Girona (3.60) Sevilla (4.90)

Monday

23.00: (5.10) Granada (3.60) Atl.Madrid (1.73)

***odds are subject to change