De Gea: Potential - Part 1

After the last blog receiving relatively good praise, I thought it was time to respond to the constructive feedback I received and talk about something that’ll really make my strong opinions shine through.

My blog was described of having “potential” by many and I feel that’s the operative word to describe Manchester United’s new goalkeeper David de Gea. David isn’t the complete package, somewhat how I would describe his predecessor Edwin Van Der Sar. Any knowledgeable Manchester United fan would know we would see mistakes from De Gea early on and the flak he’s received from particular sectors of the media, and the fans has been quite frankly crap.

I’m outraged in the stereotypical, clueless Manchester United fan that is denying David any chance in showing his variety of qualities because of two “mistakes” that haven’t even cost us a game. I’ll be the first to admit I hadn’t seen him play that much so I took the time to research our new goalkeeper to try and get a better understanding on what we’re expected to see from him. I found zero negative comments with Iker Casillas describing him as the “future.” When was the last time we had the Spanish number one playing in the Premier League? Well, that’s what David offers.

Taking a more analytical view, I’ll go back to his first appearance against MLS opposition Chicago Fire. David played ninety minutes that game and showed many of his strengths. I’ve seen many say his shot-stopping is poor and I feel that’s complete rubbish, his reflexes seem to be one his more admirable features to his game and in particular the way he uses his feet, something I’ve not seen from any other keeper. In that game he made several quality saves in the soaring heat, but the language barrier was an obvious, expected issue.

Moving forward to the City game, the Chicago Fire goal was as identical to the Lescott header. The problem is with the language barrier is when the ball gets in-between David and the defender. With the ball coming in at such pace, a shout and a quick decision have to be made. Some say David was at fault for the goal, he wasn’t. With the obvious difficulties he faces, Vidic or Rio has to take control of the loose ball and they didn’t, they were split open with the pass and David had no chance of saving it, despite the poor media coverage and opinions they’re making towards him.

Then, the Dzeko goal. This for me is the complete proof on how much commentators and media ‘jump on the bandwagon’ and ‘shift the blame.’ I am going to defend David for this and split the blame to his defence with the lack of closing down. Firstly, the midfield was non-existent and the space they gave him was wrong, where was Michael Carrick or someone tracking back to close him down? Then, Rio and Vidic gave him so much time, yes it was down the middle of the goal but did you expect him to shoot? I didn’t.

Maybe he should have got down quicker but you can’t put the blame on the easy target, some of the figureheads of the United side were to blame for that goal. Most recently, we have the West Brom incident. At real time speed, I’ll admit what is he doing but Gary Neville made a very poinient  point in the lack of closing down Shane Long received, again an issue with the Dzeko goal. Chris Smalling is a natural centre back but he should still have done his research that Shane long loves to cut in and get half a yard. Gary, possibly the most experienced full back we’ve ever produced, said that Chris should have sent him down the line, and who’s to disagree with Gary Neville? Another factor with the goal is the amount of bodies in David’s way. Look at our second goal, its hit two bodies and gone in, that could have easily happened with the Long goal. De Gea reacts late and perhaps a lack of concentration but he’s new to the surroundings and the league, he probably wanting someone to go attack Long and close him down but he can’t with the language barrier, the centre back has to now take control of all them situations for the time being and take a bit more flack and not let De Gea take all the ‘hate.’

Finally, I’m going to take you back to the Barca game. How good was David? He, unlike Edwin knew how to play against Barca. His aggressive stance blocked out any type of through ball Iniesta and Thiago offered and was in full control and felt comfortable with the lack of pressure he had. Yes, Thiago scored but it was a stunner and no keeper would have saved that.

This is enough for part one and in part two I’ll talk about how the media will eventually affect David’s performance if this continues. Also, how some fans should be ashamed of themselves.

Thanks for reading,

Footylad.