Liverpool Edging Closer To Signing Iker Casillas As Valdes Deal Dies
Liverpool are reported to be preparing a move for Real Madrid No. 1, Iker Casillas, after reports suggest that Brendan Rodgers is willing to replace Simon Mignolet as he is displeased with the goalkeeper’s form in between the poles.
Sources in Spain claim that Rodgers is fed up of the under-performing Mignolet, and has lined up Casillas as his replacement.
Casillas, 33, has been the subject of heavy criticisms over the past few months and was even booed by the home supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu for his terrible form, earlier this season.
The Spanish goalkeeper spent the majority of two seasons playing second fiddle to Diego Lopez, and became frustrated by Jose Mourinho for his lack of football at the Bernabeu.
Though considered as one of the finest goalkeepers of all times, the Spaniard’s form has dipped at an alarming rate and was terrible at the World Cup as Spain were kicked out of the competition in humiliating displays, after just two matches.
Casillas, whom Mourinho considered as influential among the senior players at Real Madrid, was reinstated after the Portuguese departed the club in a rather disappointing manner, while Ancelotti diplomatically alternated between him and Diego Lopez before the latter was offloaded to join AC Milan.
The signing of Iker Casillas could mean trouble for Brendan Rodgers’ side as the goalkeepers confidence seem to have gone with Jose Mourinho. While Spanish coach, Vicente Del Bosque, is finally realizing that the former World’s best goalkeeper is past his best, the Spanish coach has opted to using Manchester United’s David De Gea as Spain’s goalkeeper while Casillas has been relegated to the bench.
Signing the 33-year-old could be disastrous to Liverpool as the aging Casillas keep making costly mistakes in front of goal – the infamous, being the Champions League final which almost denied Real the much obsessed La Decima; the 10th Champions League title.
Casillas confidence has vanished overtime, as the former Golden Glove winner has become a shadow of his former self. A move to Liverpool could add more experience to the team but for a goalkeeper whose goalkeeping qualities are declining rapidly, Liverpool may end up conceding more goals than ever before, putting into consideration the vast number of injured defenders that are out.
In a recent interview, the Real Madrid shot-stopper admitted that he had thought about a move to the Premier League, but revealed that his main priority was to stay at Madrid.
He said: “I’ve thought about leaving Spain. I don’t want to rub anyone the wrong way or create a bad air, because you always want to win.
“But then you think: I have to compete and fight. These past two years have made me fight and become stronger. I haven’t made any indication I want to leave [yet].
“I never had a concrete offer. My idea was, and is still, to finish my career here [at Real Madrid].”
Liverpool are also reported to be considering former Barcelona stopper, Victor Valdes. The Spaniard has been out of contract since the end of the season and is said to be in talks with the Reds, but with talks taking a while, Liverpool may make their move for Casillas as an alternative.
Casillas started his career in Real Madrid’s youth system, known as La Fabrica during the 1990-91 season. On 27 November 1997, at 16, he was called to the first team to face Rosenborg in the Champions League but it wasn’t until the 1998-99 season that he debuted in the senior side.
Iker Casillas has kept three clean sheets in six La Liga matches this season.