Potential De Gea replacements

[AgentP]

None of us want him to leave obviously. But there's a genuine chance that he might. So if he were to leave this summer, who will be his replacement?

Promote from within? Romero for now and Dean Henderson to take over in a few seasons.

Or replace him with genuine quality? For example, Oblak who seems to have a 100m euro clause. Many young English keepers are also doing well.

My number one choice would be Oblak. Who are other good keepers that we can get?

 

[KM]

Dean Henderson looks a cracking prospect. Should be given a chance imo.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Hope he stays but if him going gave us a shed-load of money (that otherwise Ed may not spend) for an extra player.. CH, MFers, RW, then I'd be ok (sic) with Romero and Henderson.

We're fortunate to have decent back ups and as much as I love De Gea (and he's saved us lots of points), if it came down to funds, I'd prefer Romero/Henderson + a top new CH over De Gea + current CHs

 

[Raw]

Agreed with the posts above, maybe when the rest of the team is sorted we can afford to spunk loads of money on a top class keeper. I genuinely think that if we sort out our defence and midfield, we wouldn't need a top top keeper to be a comfortable top 4 team. Maybe to win the title sure, but we should not be a team that would suffer very greatly from losing a good keeper. If we're relying on a keeper like De Gea to save our arses in games where our defence decides to be a bunch of braindead morons, then there are clear problems with the team anyway. Pretty sure De Gea is right up there with the amount of saves he makes, but unfortunately the other keepers up there with him are ones from lower teams who concede a lot more shots than the top teams.

Ideally we'd try and keep De Gea for one more year, hope Sheffield United get promoted and loan Henderson for another year there to see how he adapts to the PL. If he adapts well then I'd take a chance on him.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Romero + Henderson.
Try Dean first for just a season, if the sign for long-term is so bad, then..


Potential gem, 20 y.o. shot-stopper and sweeper keeper. Quick reactions and his saves reminded of De Gea when he's younger, no feet saves though. Became starter quickly at Ligue 1 he's the youngest gk, then now at Serie A. Jumped to Fiorentina for 7m+ from Toulouse this early so it may be a sign of him challenging himself which is a good character to consider. Good first season so far, don't wait for too long or his prices will get over-high.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

And this is the Albon Lafont previously at Toulouse.


His quick reactions is definitely the standout aspect of his keeping.

 

[Gopher Brown]

We shouldn’t be taking a risk with inexperienced youngsters like Henderson or Lafont.

At 19, de Gea had already played in the UEFA cup final and had been Atlético’s first choice for 2 seasons.

He’ll cost £100m to replace so if his wages are a sticking point that is really silly.

If he goes to Real Madrid, we should do a deal for Courtois.

 

[devilish]

If he goes to Real Madrid, we should do a deal for Courtois.

This. 26 year old, EPL proven and nearly as good as our own DDG.

 

[Cloud7]

Wasn’t the whole reason Curtois forced his way out of Chelsea to live in Spain? Can’t see him wanting to return to England even if he does get pushed out of Madrid.

My number 1 (hehe) choice would be Oblak. Outstanding keeper, many great years ahead of him, not likely to be linked to a move with Real Madrid every year.

 

[Gopher Brown]

Wasn’t the whole reason Curtois forced his way out of Chelsea to live in Spain? Can’t see him wanting to return to England even if he does get pushed out of Madrid.

My number 1 (hehe) choice would be Oblak. Outstanding keeper, many great years ahead of him, not likely to be linked to a move with Real Madrid every year.

Who is he going to join though? He’s not likely to want to sit on the bench.

 

[Wallez]

I think De Gea will sign a new contract, but if not we cannot afford to risk the GK position with Romero/Henderson or some other youngster. We need a rock solid goalkeeper, and in my mind we have two options if De Gea leaves:
1) Include Courtois in the deal if De Gea goes to Real.
2) Pay the 90 mill release clause for Oblak.

 

[Sultan]

Courtois would be perfectly acceptable. I have doubts about Romero's handling.

 

[matt23]

Maybe we could get one of these goalies that are good with their feet. I look forward to hearing the same commentary about him 'almost being another footballer' every fecking time he touches the ball.

 

[Stookie]

I don’t want him to go but I am fed up with this “will he won’t he” saga every couple of years. If he wants to go let him go and get a decent price for him. I’m happy with Romero, I rate him quite highly.

 

[Ballache]

Henderson and Romero. Romero in the league and Henderson in the cups.

 

[poleglass red]

Courtois would be perfectly acceptable. I have doubts about Romero's handling.

thing is there is doubts re all keepers. For his undoubted top class shot stopping, even De Gea has doubts around his distribution and crosses.I rate Romero very highly. I like how he never looks rusty when he's called up, looks very natural when he plays. He's no De Gea but I don't think the drop off would be significant, plus we'd be saving a ton by promoting from within

 

[Mickson]

People who want Romero to be our first choice keeper is the same people who thought Anders Lindegaard was better than De Gea.

 

[Cloud7]

Who is he going to join though? He’s not likely to want to sit on the bench.

Back to Atletico when we sign Oblak seriously though, Valencia, Sevilla, I don’t know? Or he may very well be happy to sit on the bench and collect his wage, again, you never know.

 

[ForestRGoinUp]

People who want Romero to be our first choice keeper is the same people who thought Anders Lindegaard was better than De Gea.

Goals Allowed would increase significantly if Romero is between the sticks every week.

 

[bosnian_red]

Hes not leaving this summer and if he does then we'll probably just go a season with Romero. Other issues to focus on like the midfield, the right wing and defence.

 

[charlenefan]

No one else comes close to Oblak for me. He wont want to leave Madrid though

 

[Pfmpd]

Maybe we could get one of these goalies that are good with their feet. I look forward to hearing the same commentary about him 'almost being another footballer' every fecking time he touches the ball.

At least 3 or 4 times each match. Does my fkin tits in.

 

[Revaulx]

People who want Romero to be our first choice keeper is the same people who thought Anders Lindegaard was better than De Gea.

Who are these “people”?

Lindegaard never looked up to much; as far as I can remember he was regarded as a downgrade on Kuszczak. De Gea was regarded as the best young keeper in Europe when he joined United; only a handful of British pundits didn’t rate him, and it was British keepers they thought were better (Given, Hart). Certainly not Lindegaard.

Romero has performed consistently well for United for several seasons now; something that Lindegaard never did. I’m not totally convinced he should be our regular starter, but comparing the two is ridiculous.

 

[Gopher Brown]

Goals Allowed would increase significantly if Romero is between the sticks every week.

A football themed Girls Aloud tribute act?

 

[Red Comet]

Would give Henderson a try. Brilliant prospect.

Otherwise Donnarumma looks like he could be a top keeper.

 

[ErranMorad]

People who want Romero to be our first choice keeper is the same people who thought Anders Lindegaard was better than De Gea.

I hope the club is smarter. Romero for a season will force us to include the Fabian Barthez era as one of the golden periods of goal-keeping in the clubs history.

 

[ErranMorad]

Can anyone please elaborate on Henderson's strengths and weaknesses?

 

[Roboc7]

People who want Romero to be our first choice keeper is the same people who thought Anders Lindegaard was better than De Gea.

Romero is massively over rated by United fans, an excellent backup but nowhere near the required level as first choice keeper. If he is given a chance to replace De Gea he wouldn’t last a season, he would have to play to a consistent level he has never got remotely close to previously.

It’s something like 6 or 7 years since was last a first choice keeper, should just appreciate him as a great backup.

 

[FootyGirl88]

Romero isn't good enough to be our #1 keeper.

 

[lsd]

People who want Romero to be our first choice keeper is the same people who thought Anders Lindegaard was better than De Gea.

Rubbish

Romero makes sense for now as he is well capable of being our first choice as we bring Henderson on for long term

 

[Ed9]

What about Donnarumma? Is he good or just hyped because he's young?

 

[Slevs]

I don’t want him to go but I am fed up with this “will he won’t he” saga every couple of years. If he wants to go let him go and get a decent price for him. I’m happy with Romero, I rate him quite highly.

Same.

Romero
Grant
3rd keeper is more than good enough for now.

 

[Acole9]

People who want Romero to be our first choice keeper is the same people who thought Anders Lindegaard was better than De Gea.

I would want someone else as number one but come on, he's a million miles better than Lindegaard. He's a Championship quality goalkeeper at best.

 

[Sanche7]

Has to be Oblak. He'll be costly for sure, we will probably have to pay the 100 million euro release clause but if we can get 50-60 mill for DDG, we can get him for net of 25-30 mill which will be great for the club IMO

 

[ErranMorad]

Romero is massively over rated by United fans, an excellent backup but nowhere near the required level as first choice keeper. If he is given a chance to replace De Gea he wouldn’t last a season, he would have to play to a consistent level he has never got remotely close to previously.

It’s something like 6 or 7 years since was last a first choice keeper, should just appreciate him as a great backup.

Correct. He was a back-up at some fecking mid-table club in Italy when we got him. But a few years down the line and people think he is good enough to be in the goal for us for an entire season. Insane stuff.

 

[ErranMorad]

Has to be Oblak. He'll be costly for sure, we will probably have to pay the 100 million euro release clause but if we can get 50-60 mill for DDG, we can get him for net of 25-30 mill which will be great for the club IMO

How much did Madrid get Courtois for? We aren't selling De Gea for much more than that with only a year left on his contract.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Love Romero but he is back up and I'm sure the club think as much. Yikes, what a mess, goal keeper prices are absurd and that's not even the biggest issue.

 

[Sanche7]

How much did Madrid get Courtois for? We aren't selling De Gea for much more than that with only a year left on his contract.

35 million pounds.
But according to reports we would rather lose him for free next year rather than sell him this year. Also there are zero rumors surrounding him, which is strange as one would expect teams like PSG to be interested. I'm guessing he will sign new contract.

 

[Danish Wizard]

Show some trust, play Dean Henderson. Quality talent.
Remember de Geas first few seasons, there were mistakes. But wow, what a player we got then. Same goes for Henderson. Young players will always make a mistake during a season. But Deano is quality. Trust him, and we have a terrific keeper for the next 15 years.

IF we don't trust him, then buy Oblak. Only keeper better than De Gea out there..

 

[Invictus]

Unless we considerably improve our defense and organization (to a level where someone who's merely a good keeper might do just fine for the most part because you aren't conceding a ton of dangerous shots), there is only one clear replacement, IMO: Jan Oblak. Anyone else would be a significant downgrade, and also...the younger talents (like Meret, Lafont, Lunin) are either not at the level of De Gea when he joined United, Neuer when he joined Bayern, ter-Stegen when he joined Barcelona, or have disruptive agents (Donnarumma with Raiola).

David is more than just a goalkeeper...he's an actual match-winner, and signing someone below par behind a shaky defensive line could be calamitous. In the grand scheme of things, and in a market where Liverpool paid £67 million for Alisson and Chelsea paid £72 million for Kepa, the activation of Oblak's somewhat prohibitive release clause will be worth it because he's a consistent and guaranteed performer, and could play at a high level for about a decade yet.

P.S. I'd be wary of any Courtois swap deals because he has visibly regressed in recent years (reckon his peak was at Atlético/early Chelsea) and apparently isn't a great dressing room presence.