Iker Casillas vs. Victor Valdes: Who Would Be Best Goalkeeper for Liverpool? Liverpool are on RED ALERT as Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas eyes a move abroad. I’ve thought about leaving Spain, the 33-year-old is quoted as saying. The rather speculative report seems to follow the good old football rumour gossip formula in which a player in a certain position says he may leave his current club, and therefore a club who may need to strengthen in that position therefore must be interested. In the world of the football rumour mill, two plus two often does equal five. Ironically, the report arrives on the same day The Mirror cite Goal as saying Victor Valdes, Casillas Spanish teammate, will complete his proposed move to Anfield once he proves his fitness this month. So which will it be? Casillas or Valdes? Which would be best for Liverpool? Tale of the Tape The two Spaniards are of a similar age—Casillas slightly the elder but only marginally—and are of a similar stature and height. Both have extensive experience with each of Spains—and the worlds—two biggest clubs. Of course, Casillas has been Spains No. 1 goalkeeper for the past decade, keeping Valdes and former Liverpool stopper Pepe Reinas national team appearances to the minimum. Valdes Casillas Age 32 33 Height 6ft 2in 6ft 1in Club Appearances 528 687 International Caps 20 157 Comparison The strengths and weaknesses of each are again very similar. Both have been used in teams that employ similar possession-oriented systems as what Brendan Rodgers desires at Anfield. Casillas was a key figure in Spains dominance internationally, while Valdes was an ever-present at the same time during Barcelonas dominance in La Liga and Europe. While Casillas was generally perceived to be the better all-around keeper, Valdes is the one who has shown huge improvements in his game as he matured towards and into his 30s. Indeed, Casillas has found himself a peripheral figure at the Bernabeu in the last two campaigns and under both Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti. Valdes, meanwhile, was still a key player for Barca up until his ACL injury back in March. His decision to leave the Catalan side was his own, seeking a new challenge, rather than Casillas, who is seemingly being pushed from Madrid. Availability Its with that in mind that perhaps Valdes is the better option for Liverpool—he wants a new challenge, while Casillas has been, at least until now, happy to sit on the bench at his beloved Real Madrid. The fact that Valdes is available immediately due to being out of contract also makes him a far more viable and attractive proposition for Liverpool. Rodgers is rightly keen to bring in experience and competition for Simon Mignolet, and the sooner that arrives, the better. If Valdes can prove his fitness this month, he could be signed and available for the busy festive fixtures and also key Champions League games such as away to Real Madrid next month and at home to FC Basel. Having a player of such experience—Valdes having won the competition three times—around on a matchday and in training would be invaluable for Rodgers youthful squad. Verdict Neither Valdes nor Casillas is the long-term solution for Liverpool, but either can bring vital experience and ability to the Anfield outfit. They have similar strengths and weaknesses, and the difference comes down to who is more available and better suited to the challenge. Therefore, Valdes proves the better option for Liverpool at this time and would be a shrewd and important signing, providing a morale boost to the squad at an important time of the season.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 16:26:30 +0000
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