Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas endured a miserable performance in the Champions League last-16 second leg clash against German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night. The Spaniards lost 4-3, with Casillas being culpable for at least two of the goals, and it will certainly reinforce Real’s need for a long-term replacement.
Schalke scored their opener after the long-serving shot-stopper managed to push a close range shot into his own net to gift a lead to the visitors. He spilled a number of shots and crosses in the 90 minutes against the Bundesliga outfit, and was singled out for criticism by ITV’s pundits covering the game.
The Spanish international, 33, has been out of form for more than two years now, returning from his country’s Euro 2012 triumph with his best form firmly behind him. Ever since, he’s struggled to reach previous heights between the sticks. Any other player would have been out the side, but Casillas’ reputation is perhaps keeping the club from permanently axing him.
But Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is reportedly being lined up by Real Madrid, with the Spaniard having been outstanding between the sticks in the last 18 months for the Red Devils. At just 24, De Gea could have a decade of service still to offer, and has certainly shown enough quality to replace the Real ‘keeper.
Casillas has been a Real Madrid player his whole career, and has outlasted talented goalkeepers who have threaten to oust him from the starting lineup. Former manager Jose Mourinho dropped him in favour of ex-player Diego Lopez to the initial bemusement of many, but the writing was on the wall.
However, Mourinho’s successor Carlo Ancelotti reinstated Casillas, and the goalkeeper won the Champions League and Copa Del Rey last season. It was an error-strewn campaign, however, that saw the veteran gift a goal to Real’s Champions League final opponents too, and little has changed less than a season later.
De Gea’s asking price is unknown, but he is likely to set Real back in excess of £40M, with United having spent over £20M to sign him from Atletico Madrid in 2011. Money has never been an object for Los Blancos, and there’s no doubt De Gea will consider his future while United continue to struggle in the Premier League. Should Louis van Gaal’s side miss out on a Champions League spot, a move could be made sooner than anticipated. Real certainly need him as soon as possible, with how poor Casillas has been.
