The end of the adventure is becoming clearer for Keylor Navas at PSG. At the end of his contract next June, the goalkeeper must be content with crumbs this season, overwhelmed by the excellent level displayed by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and even pushed behind his back by the young Arnau Tenas. Still the Italian’s understudy, the 37-year-old goalkeeper no longer plays much, except against Lille and Reims in Ligue 1. For two rounds in the Coupe de France, Luis Enrique has decided to entrust the PSG goals to usual starter, effectively depriving the Costa Rican of a little playing time which would have been beneficial to him.
The proof, his lack of competition was felt against Reims last weekend. On the first Champagne goal, and while he was within reach of the ball and facing the game, he preferred to let his partner Achraf Hakimi take it, even though the Moroccan was in a hurry and in a delicate situation. The side’s poor choice to return to the inside didn’t help him either but invalidated his first assessment. It is then adjusted by Diakité, despite his good choice to dive to his left. He is not responsible, nor decisive either.
Navas lost his place in the Coupe de France
Our editorial staff gave it a mere 4/10 last Sunday, with only one stop on the clock. Navas failed to take advantage of the opportunity granted by Luis Enrique, who especially does not want to let the Coupe de France slip away. After playing him in the first two rounds against Revel and Orléans, the coach brought Donnarumma back from the round of 16 against Brest. “Having a top goalkeeper like him is very importantclaimed the coach before Reims. We are all very happy to see his performances, his success, his ability to improve. We want him to be a leader in the squad. »
Obviously, Navas pays the price. While the debate between the two goalkeepers could still arise at the start of the season, it no longer has any reason to exist. Despite three errors in a row in the fall, Donnarumma’s performances validate the choice of Luis Enrique. The former Madrilenian could have left this winter when Newcastle and the Tigers were interested in him. Loaned to Nottingham Forest during the second half of last season, the goalkeeper this time has the choice to stay in Paris where his role has changed in the locker room. He became a sort of tutor for his young teammates.
The debate no longer takes place with Donnarumma
However, the competition is necessarily lacking for the legend of the Ticos (112 caps). Another indicator which points towards a departure at the end of the season, PSG is looking for a new goalkeeper to enter the hierarchy. The name of Gregor Kobel (BvB) was even mentioned recently. It remains to be seen whether Navas will be tempted by a new challenge or whether he will retire from sport. In the meantime, the Parc des Princes has not forgotten him. Against LOSC in mid-February, a match he played in its entirety with a decent performance (6/10 according to our editorial staff), helped by the opponent’s offensive weakness, he received a standing ovation. His performances in the first seasons, culminating in his Champions League campaigns, are still remembered by the Parisian public.
