Real Madrid News
La Liga icon hails Real Madrid veteran as the ‘best in the world’ in his position
Speaking on COPE (h/t Mundo Deportivo), former Real Madrid and Valencia goalkeeper Santi Canizares offered strong praise for Thibaut Courtois, hailing the Belgian shot-stopper as the best in the world in his position.
Courtois has been at Real Madrid since 2018, when he arrived from Chelsea. But prior to that, he had spent time at the Merengues’ cross-town rivals, Atletico Madrid, on loan, between 2011 and 2014.
And, Canizares praised the improvement and transformation that the Belgian international has gone through from his first moment in Spain to the present.
“The improvement of Courtois is clear from the moment he arrives in Spanish football, from the moment he arrives at Atletico Madrid,” said Canizares.
Continuing, the La Liga icon added: “He arrived as a good goalkeeper, a good prospect. Today he is the best goalkeeper for me, the one my eyes have seen, the best goalkeeper in the world, the one with the best qualities regardless of trophies and so on.
“All of this has to do with the very exclusive, very different professionalism that Courtois has compared with most goalkeepers.”
So far at Real Madrid, the 33-year-old Courtois has made more than 300 appearances, keeping 121 clean sheets in the process.
The Belgian goalkeeper has won three La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups, among several other trophies during his spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Courtois is contracted with Real Madrid until the summer of 2027, having signed a new one-year extension earlier this year, although it has not been announced officially.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho considering starting 23-year-old Real Madrid ace against Villarreal – report
After impressing during the international break, Eduardo Camavinga has a major opportunity to establish himself in Real Madrid’s midfield rotation.
Indeed, according to Defensa Central, Jose Mourinho is considering starting the Frenchman against Villarreal, with injuries and doubts over several players limiting his options.
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop points against Villarreal if they want to remain in the title race. However, Mourinho has issues to deal with in the squad, which could lead him to turn to Camavinga for a crucial role.
Camavinga could replace Tchouameni in midfield
The 23-year-old star could line up as the defensive midfielder in the double pivot, with Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler alongside him, and will be tasked with providing balance in midfield.
Real Madrid face Villarreal with several problems in central defence. Ibrahima Konate is expected to be a late call, leading Mourinho to consider moving Aurelien Tchouameni into defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Meanwhile, Federico Valverde could also struggle to be ready after the ankle injury he sustained in the derby before the international break.
The Uruguayan has continued to work individually away from the group and might return to group training tomorrow. Even then, his readiness to start remains in question.
That would leave a place open in midfield, with Camavinga in line to fill in.
Camavinga impressed during the international break
Camavinga has started only one match this season, the defeat against Real Betis.
Despite his limited opportunities, Mourinho is keen to bring the Frenchman back into the fold after he impressed for France during the international break.
Zinedine Zidane called the Real Madrid star up for his first France squad, and the midfielder performed well during the break.
That has given Mourinho and Real Madrid reason to be optimistic about using him against Villarreal, with the hope that he can move closer to the level he showed after first arriving at the club.
Therefore, the Villarreal match could represent an important test for Camavinga and a chance for the Frenchman to show that he can provide the balance Real Madrid need in midfield.
