Stats can prove anything, they say.
David de Gea has comfortably been Manchester United’s best player since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, and looked set to emulate past great Old Trafford goalkeepers Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar.
However, the Spanish ‘keeper is on his way to Real Madrid, with Keylor Navas set to move in the opposite direction.
Navas only joined Madrid from Levante last summer, following an impressive World Cup with Costa Rica, but made just 13 appearances last season.
United fans not overly-familiar with the 28 year old may perhaps be worried that their new goalkeeper will be unable to replicate De Gea’s brilliant form – or worse yet, be another Sergio Romero – however, this graphic suggests Louis van Gaal’s side may have got a good deal.
Whoscored.com have compared Navas’ form with Levante, in the season before he warmed the Bernabeu bench, with De Gea’s last season.
The Spanish ‘keeper recieved widespread plaudits, and was credited with securing United’s fourth place finish, but Navas comes out on top ahead of De Gea.
Of course, some variables can’t be measured, such as moving to a new league, country and learning a new language, all of which will be a factor in whether Navas can excel at Old Trafford.
But these’s enough to suggest United have got a very capable replacement for De Gea.
