Iker Casillas strongly believes David De Gea is the future of Spain
Spain's World Cup winning goal keeper, Iker Casillas strongly believes that, Athletico Madrid's, teenage goal keeping sensation David De Gea is the future of Spanish football. This is because the Real Madrid number one admitted to being highly impressed
after watching the young keepers performances since the start of the season.
The nineteen year old keeper, did his best to keep Athletico in the game against Barcelona. He pulled off some death defying saves and kept out the Barcelona squad for most parts of the game. He denied the likes of David Villa, Pedro and Lionel Messi when
everyone thought the players were sure to score. Had De Gea not been in goal for Athletico, then the final score would have not read two goals to one in Barclona's favor. The keeper prevented the score line from representing the dominance and authortity that
Barcelona had in the match as the reigning Spanish Champions, managed to beat the entire Athletico team but found it close to impossible to get past the keeper.
The keeper played a very vital role, in preventing Valencia from maintaining their hundred percent success record this season. Thanks to the keeper's heroics and brilliant saves, Athletico became the first team to win any point's off of Valencia, as the
teams match ended in a one all draw.
Casillas is reported to have said, in regards to the young keeper: "Everyone's seen what he's been doing and praising his performances"
"I don't know him personally but he has been doing very well. Watching him reminds me a lot of when I started 11 years ago."
"Between us all we have to look after him. He has a long road in front of him, and when he least expects it he will get a call up to the national team."
De Gea was part of the initial thirty man squad that the Spanish manager, Vincente del Bosque selected to pick his final team from. However with the likes of Casillas, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina in the team, the teenager didn't make the cut to fly out
to South Africa with the squad.
The keeper came into the spotlight, after being selected to participate in Athletico Madrid's Champions League match, last year in September. Ever since then the keeper has become the first choice keeper at the club due to the brilliant, displays that he
put up in the match. He was even part of the Athletico side that went on to win the inaugural Europa League last season. Many experts were reported to have claimed that, despite Diego Forlan, running the show up front for Athletico, it's the stability that
De Gea has provided the team at the back, that has helped the side become one of the best in Spain and Europe once again.
The player has also started to catch the eye's of Europe’s elite. This past Wednesday night, Manchester United's manager, Alex Ferguson was spotted watching the team play in Spain. This was despite the fact that United had a Carling Cup game the same night.
Most experts claim that the reason behind the manager being in Spain then, is due to the fact that, Valencia are going to be facing United this week in the Champions League, so the manager went out to make some notes. However the more plausible reason for
the manager's presence is Spain is that he was out there to take a closer look at De Gea. United are currently running short on quality keepers and once Van der Sar retires, they will need a replacment. The way thing's are carrying out, it appears like Ferguson
feel's that De Gea, is the most suitable replacement for the Dutch legend.
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