The goalie carousel this summer is spinning at breakneck speed. Great goalkeepers change clubs weekly. Kepa, whose loan to Real Madrid became public on Monday, also fits into this series. But if Thibaut Courtois hadn’t torn his cruciate ligament, FC Bayern would almost certainly have presented Kepa alongside Harry Kane last Sunday.
“We were very close, would normally have wanted to present a new goalkeeper in Kepa today or tomorrow if he hadn’t decided on Real Madrid at the very end,” said Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen on Sunday.
When the alternative with Real opened up at short notice, Kepa didn’t have to think twice: “The decision was very easy. I had other offers from important clubs, but when I was told that I had this option, everything went very quickly and easily,” explained the Spaniard at his official presentation as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday. “It was a few days ago, after training, I got a call. From there everything happened very quickly. The first person I told was my wife. I was with her and we were very happy. ”
I spoke to Courtois and he’s going through the worst thing in football: injuries.
kepa
It was important to him to send recovery wishes as part of his performance – to Courtois, Eder Militao (also torn cruciate ligament) and top talent Arda Güler (knee surgery). “I spoke to Courtois and he’s going through the worst thing in football: injuries. I want to wish him strength, encouragement and the best recovery. I hope he can be back on the pitch soon.”
Real’s new number 25 – ‘Hopefully I can stay’
Real’s new number 25 also knows that this will take months. Kepa chose the old number of Real legend Iker Casillas – immediately before his breakthrough to the new number 1 – without any ulterior motives. “I chose the 25 because the 1 and the 13 were occupied by Courtois and Lunin,” he clarified and added: “I don’t want to compare myself to others. I’m here to go my way and me to make a name.”
However, he has little to do with the goalkeeper who left Bilbao in 2018 to conquer the Premier League. “I’m sure I’m stronger than I was a few years ago. Experiences in football make you tougher. I’ve been through all kinds of situations and I’ve always tried to keep the good even when the situation wasn’t the best,” he admitted: “I’ve matured, I’m in one of the best moments of my sporting career after a great year and I’m ready to face this challenge. I can assure you that there will be no lack of dedication and hard work.”
When asked if he could envision a future at Real beyond the loan year, Kepa appeared to have been waiting. “Hopefully I can stay,” he said openly: “We have time and we’ll see, but hopefully I can ensure that I can stay with my performance.” Then to compete with Courtois.
