Valdes-De Gea-Neuer: A potential goalkeeping merry-go-round or just a wishful transfer saga?
There is a reason why the transfer window is also known as the silly season. I would any day swap a balcony seat for an Oscar winning movie to watch the deadline day drama.
The ‘Ronaldo back to Old Trafford’ rumours, the ‘Falcao to Chelsea‘, the ‘Cavani to Arsenal‘ and the best of the lot – Sneijder to anyone apparently ready to pay him 200,000 pounds a week after taxes, surely make the front pages of any tabloid.
With the hottest managerial property in the market, Pep Guardiola joining Bayern on a three year deal, I expected the rumour mill to go into overdrive by linking the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and a few La Mesilla protégées with the Bavarians but everything seems to be a tad dull at the moment, until today morning that is.
The Daily Mail has run a story regarding Victor Valdes turning down a new deal at Barcelona and open to the thought of moving to a different league. Queue a host of rumours linking him to Bayern Munich to join former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.
That surely couldn’t be true now, could it? As Bayern Munich have one of the best goalkeepers in the world in German International Manuel Neuer (once dubbed a potential replacement for Edwin Van Der Saar after producing one of the greatest goalkeeping performances in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United), who surely wouldn’t like the thought of being benched.
I remember reading an article somewhere suggesting that Guardiola would find it a little difficult to implement the Barca style of passing-the-ball-from-the-back with Neuer in the team, as the German is more renowned for his frame and shot stopping ability than his ball skills. With that thought, my brain goes into overdrive and starts linking the bits and pieces of information and news from the tabloids, to conjure up something that could seem more realistic than silly (or is it just the wishful thinking of the football addict inside of me?).
Victor Valdes (Barcelona to Bayern Munich?)
David de Gea (Manchester United to Barcelona?)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich to Manchester United?)
Manchester United haven’t had a settled defence or a first choice goalkeeper this season with Sir Alex Ferguson rotating Lindegaard and De Gea in between the sticks. The English press hasn’t been too kind to either of the two. Lindegaard has a big frame and presence but De Gea’s shot stopping and ball skills are second to none. Combined together, the two of would form the world’s best keeper but individually, have flaws in them that cost United points.
A thousand miles away in Madrid…
Jose Mourinho falls out with Iker Casillas, and 20 year old Spaniard, De Gea is linked with a move to the Bernabeau. Although I don’t see Madrid Legend Iker leaving the Los Blancos, I can see De Gea considering a move back to Spain if he doesn’t feel loved or settled at Old Trafford.
Well, I think you might have gotten a hang as to where this is heading…
The possibility of seeing Valdes at Bayern, Neuer at Old Trafford and De Gea at Barca could turn out to be mouthwatering and a win-win situation for all the parties involved. Bayern will be happy if Guardiola gets his man and turns them into Champions League winners with his footballing philosophy. Manchester United will have Neuer, who ideally should have been the person inheriting Van Der Saar’s gloves, and Barcelona will get one of the best young Spanish goalkeepers who fits their style perfectly.
With the silly season in place and money being thrown around, how could we forget about the most important people at this time of the year? No, I’m not talking about the fans. The players’ agents will surely be pleased with big name players moving to big clubs and will look to pocket a fortune.
So a few stories, a few thoughts and a little imagination, and Eureka!
As for now, there is no truth to this but just in case if this does materialize sometime in the future, remember this is where you heard it first.
- By Rohit Shankarmani