Real Madrid have identified young goalkeeper Javi Navarro as a potential long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois, although the club has no intention of rushing his development.
According to AS, Real Madrid have complete faith in Navarro and believe he has the quality to eventually take over the No. 1 role at the Santiago Bernabeu.
For now, though, there is no succession plan being forced into action.
This is because Courtois remains under contract and continues to be one of the most important players in the Real Madrid squad.
The club’s priority is therefore to give Navarro the time and regular playing experience needed to continue his development.
Real Madrid have complete faith in Javi Navarro
Javi Navarro is highly regarded within Real Madrid, with the club seeing him as a goalkeeper capable of reaching the very highest level.
Real Madrid have complete faith in Javi Navarro. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The young shot-stopper has already started taking steps towards senior football. Just last season, while playing primarily for Juvenil A, Navarro made three appearances for Castilla.
Those opportunities came while Fran Gonzalez, who has since left for Sevilla, was away with Spain at the Under-20 World Cup.
Fran Gonzalez’s departure has now created an opening in the Castilla goalkeeping department, potentially giving Navarro another important opportunity to gain more regular minutes.
It is stated that Real Madrid’s confidence in the youngster is not in question, as he possesses both the talent and potential needed to eventually compete for a place in the first team.
However, they also recognise that goalkeepers often require patience and regular match experience before making the step up to the highest level.
That is why Navarro’s immediate development is expected to take priority over any attempt to push him prematurely into the senior squad.
Courtois remains Real Madrid’s undisputed No. 1
Courtois remains Real Madrid’s undisputed number 1. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Any discussion about Javi Navarro’s future must begin with Courtois.
The Belgian remains a key figure at Real Madrid and continues to be the club’s established first-choice goalkeeper, which explains why the club want their young goalkeeper to build experience through regular football.
Over the years, Real Madrid have seen several academy goalkeepers come through the ranks without managing to establish themselves permanently in the senior side.
In fact, since Iker Casillas, no Real Madrid academy graduate has successfully made the position his own.
With Navarro, though, Real Madrid are convinced that he has the potential to become the next academy goalkeeper capable of breaking that pattern.