He is the Icardi of goalkeepers.
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Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 47
- Clean sheets
- 10
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 1
- Status
I don’t watch a lot of teams closely enough to really have an informed opinion on who the absolute best is. I’m starting to think de Gea isn’t it though, for exactly the reasons you describe.
However, calling him ‘the most overrated player evvah’ or whatever will bring derision, and rightly so. His shot stopping and one v one game is truly great, without question. He has saved us so many points over this last barren period it’s actually a little embarrassing for the rest of the team.
He does have flaws to his game, as are always mentioned, but I do think that he is so good on his line that it does mask a number of his weaknesses.
When you're as good as he is from inside the 6 yard box, coming out and claiming the ball or sweeping up isn't as big of a deal. Similar to a completely one footed player who is so good with their one foot, their reluctance to use their other is hardly noticeable. Paul Scholes had a naff left foot, but he could pass better with the outstep of his right than most could normally and his shot from 25 yards without taking a first touch was better than anyone, so it was barely a mark against him. In nearly all situations, I'd prefer De Gea in his 6 yard box than anywhere else. That's where he is better than anyone, and whilst there is more goalkeeping than stopping shots, that is the most crucial part of it. If a goalkeeper is going to excel massively at something, make it that.
Whether he is among the best around doesn't really matter, but to most United fans he is purely because of how often he has kept us in games through saves that look impossible. I struggle to name a goalkeeper capable of the same, or one I'd want to swap him for, certainly not until we have a non-calamitous back four and a defensive midfielder who doesn't operate in a slow motion. I think we're a few windows away from that.
When you're as good as he is from inside the 6 yard box, coming out and claiming the ball or sweeping up isn't as big of a deal. Similar to a completely one footed player who is so good with their one foot, their reluctance to use their other is hardly noticeable. Paul Scholes had a naff left foot, but he could pass better with the outstep of his right than most could normally and his shot from 25 yards without taking a first touch was better than anyone, so it was barely a mark against him. In nearly all situations, I'd prefer De Gea in his 6 yard box than anywhere else. That's where he is better than anyone, and whilst there is more goalkeeping than stopping shots, that is the most crucial part of it. If a goalkeeper is going to excel massively at something, make it that.
Whether he is among the best around doesn't really matter, but to most United fans he is purely because of how often he has kept us in games through saves that look impossible. I struggle to name a goalkeeper capable of the same, or one I'd want to swap him for, certainly not until we have a non-calamitous back four and a defensive midfielder who doesn't operate in a slow motion. I think we're a few windows away from that.
Pretty much this.Even goalkeepers have different playing style and thus different specialties.
David de Gea is a shot stopper specialist!
Other keepers are better than him overall keeping, 1 on 1 stopper, penalty stopper and sweeper specialists -- nothing to embarrass about in admitting De Gea's flaw.
I find it rare seeing keepers good in organizing/commanding defense nowadays though.
That said, I think it's more to do with the coaching and the system the team at his club level is playing, doesn't help improve De Gea's overall keeping game. He has the potential to be good at building up attacks at the back, quick counter attacks with his good natural accurate throw/kicks and improve his passing/possession game. Showed plenty of glimpse and promises there but what can he do when there is no option and the team is somehow clueless in properly receiving the ball or even barely making any quick counter attacking movements. No keeper can improve with this shit tactics. Then again, he pretty much had plenty of practices in real live matches to improve his shot stopping skills and reactions because of how vulnerable our team set up usually defensively.
Not sure if already posted but MEN saying Casillas trying to rock the apple cart with DDG in goal for Spain.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-de-gea-spain-15456685
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-de-gea-spain-15456685
I've just heard Mourinho talking about that. I thought Casillas had retired! Very interesting Mourinho thinks Casillas has that level of control over the Spanish media...
I think it's bullshit tbh.
Man Utd 0:0 Crystal Palace
The best part and only fun aspect consistently of United's football in this Hoof Ball/Boring Football era (2013-18) is watching De Gea play, making those delicious saves.
Which on the other hand -- says a lot of how terrible shit the team performances are overall consistently.
Which on the other hand -- says a lot of how terrible shit the team performances are overall consistently.
Is he really out of contract in the summer? I thought that can't be right when I was reading the link to PSG in the press this morning. It's a very Arsenal thing to let 60-70m asset run his contract down to last six months.
Club can activate a clause that adds another year to his contract.
I think he might go to PSG.
Protects a bit of the investment but reality is anything less than 18 months and you need to sell which given he's frequently your most influential player would be massive blow.
Man Utd 1:0 Young Boys
How important was that save, kept us in the CL.
This guy.
That save was unreal. Typical David, eh?
Damn, that was one helluva save! Also, his distribution was very good today!
Ludicrous save
That might be his best one. Incredible.
Amazing save, one of his best ever
He just keeps doing amazing things.
This save was unreal.
It's kinda sad to know the fact that he's been spending so many years in this club without winning much more trophies. He deserves it.
Were he decide to leave I would never blame him
Were he decide to leave I would never blame him
Not one other keeper on the planet is making that save. He's a god.
One of the best saves you'll see this season. Easily MOTM.
Fecking shameful saying that against Y.Boys at home.
Fecking shameful saying that against Y.Boys at home.
That save was something else
Please sign the new contract.
He always saves us... Hopefully he will never leave us. The only player in our current team I'm gonna feel very sad if he leaves.
That save was unreal.
Anyone else's stream freeze with the ball already past him? 
@GifLord any chance?
Probably his best ever United save for me. That was out of this world.
Nam Old Trafford after him.
Credit to the original poster on reddit:
Like Reed Richards on the save! 
That save was disgusting, jesus.
Still have no idea how he was able to react and save that. Incredible really.
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This guy could save the universe from Thanos.
One of his all-around best matches for us, hasn’t played off the line this well for us in some time. Handled the two crosses well, distribution was better, & was a bit more connected to the back four.
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