While David De Gea was once considered to be the best goalkeeper in world football, it can't be denied that he has experienced a dramatic downturn in form over the past 18 months or so. The mistakes that he never made have become far too frequent, and he certainly been overtaken in the pecking order of goalkeepers in the Premier League.
With his shot stopping ability having tailed off, other holes in his game have become more pronounced. His lack of ability with the ball at his feet has long been overlooked, but is now thought of as a major concern in the modern game. He has even lost his place in the Spain team as a result.
One person who has never been all that convinced by De Gea is Roy Keane. Keane was in the Sky Sports studio before Manchester United's clash with West Ham when he said that he doesn't think the Spaniard has earned his massive new contract.
"He's making far too many mistakes."
Roy Keane says he's unsure if David de Gea's new contract is good business for Manchester United...🤔
Watch Super Sunday live on Sky Sports PL now: https://t.co/doDg3kbhBI pic.twitter.com/F6uRZQfy50— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2019
I'm not so sure. Listen, 'keepers can make mistakes. I've always worried about him every time I've watched him, the character side of things.
He never seems to be commanding, not in his entire career, but I never get the impression that he's that type of character to put demands on the people around him.
These are all big mistakes. The big test for goalkeepers at Manchester United is how you react to a mistake, and I think he's making far too many mistakes.
It's just a personal matter. I was never convinced by the character side of him, putting demands on the people around him.
Is he a technically good goalkeeper? Of course he is, but it's more the package. I've always had question marks over him.
Keane was joined in the studio by Jose Mourinho, who is obviously very familiar with the player.
While he believed he is a quality goalkeeper, Mourinho questioned the wisdom of United handing him the sort of contract they did when there was very little interest in the player from elsewhere.
"The majority of the big doors are closed." 🚪❌
Jose Mourinho gives his verdict on David de Gea's new deal at Manchester United and questions whether the club needed to pay as much as they did...📝💰 pic.twitter.com/YHrDNvcjqa— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2019
The moment where he signed his new contract is the moment where I don't think United needs to pay as much as they did to have him.
One or two years ago you had the whole world after him, but in the moment he signed his incredible contract, I think the majority of the big doors were closed.
The Real Madrid door is closed, they won't sign another goalkeeper after Courtois. The Barcelona door is closed, they have the young and fantastic Ter Stegen. PSG is closed, they signed Keylor Navas who is a very good goalkeeper.
I don't see United under pressure because David is going to disappear, who is going to pay him those numbers? He got a phenomenal contract in a moment he is lucky to get it.
