Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea is close to signing a contract extension worth £375k-weekly salary. The goalkeeper’s back-and-forth with the Red Devil hierarchy has been ‘hell’. It’s high time the dotted lines are signed.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has successfully shifted the deadwood in the dressing room. Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku fell out with almost everyone at Old Trafford and secured a move to Inter Milan in the summer, alongside former Barcelona and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez who joined Inter Milan on loan. Also gone is Ander Herrera, Matteo Damien and Chris Smalling (loan to AS Roma). Aside from the transfer of Herrera to PSG, other moves seem good to fans.
The main idea behind selling those players in the summer was to get rid of players who are not committed to the club. Under Dutchman Louis van Gaal and Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho, Manchester United became a club to pick up huge paychecks. Many United faithful wanted the Paulo Dybala move, but the transfer broke down after the Argentine asked for a huge pay-rise and the Red Devils hierarchy felt the forward wasn’t fully committed to the cause of the club.
In the case of De Gea, is he committed to the cause of the club? Several media outlets have linked him with a move away from the club, while a few have talked about the contract renewal and paypal is backing the Spanish goalkeeper to put pen to paper on a new deal with the Red Devils.
Serie A champions Juventus and Frech giants Paris Saint Germain are both leading the race as regards the future of the shot-stopper. Both European heavyweights represent a better chance for silverware than manchester United. Understandably, De Gea is being tempted: he’s in his late 20’s and approaching the last years of his football career. Especially considering that Manchester United’s season continues to be hit and miss at the moment.
It will be unfair to question the loyalty of United’s outstanding performer for the last five years – winning Player of the Year Award on several occasions.
Truely the goalie has made the club wait too long, making the hierarchy sweat; or, on the other hand, he might have been waiting for solid contract offers from PSG and Juventus. Both outcomes underline a player who is not on-board with the manager’s rebuilding plans and efforts.
Aside from commitment concerns, it’s become increasingly clearer that the former Atletico star may be past his peak. All of these were seen last season, and he has carried on into the new campaign. At Old Trafford against Crystal Palace, the Spaniard undermined the superb equalizer by Daniel James, conceding a saveable strike from Dutchman Patrick van Aanholt; to mention just a few.
While fans can be rest assured that De Gea’s skills are likely to come back, his ball distribution from goal remains a major worry. Let’s talk about this season alone, he has contributed the least passes in the Premier League: that is 72.
Keeping a world-class safe hand sends a major signal of intent to rival clubs. Despite recent frailties and weaknesses in recent years, De Gea is one of the top five goalkeepers in the world.
On the other hand, the club is better off cutting their losses, accepting a good transfer fee in the new year and smartly reinvesting that money into rebuilding the team.