Navas speaks out on playtime under Solari

Keylor Navas spoke with COPE’s radio show El Partidazo about his playtime under Santiago Solari as manager when he took over.

“The last game of the Champions League group stages was a pretty ugly day. We were already qualified, so almost all my teammates got a chance to play, but I did not.”

“Obviously it was difficult to accept, but I looked forward and kept working. It has been a pretty difficult season.”

“I spoke very little with Solari, but I knew that I would not play no matter what I did. I always had faith that things would change.”

Navas has been nothing short of an absolute gentlemen since Courtois joined the club and took over as the first choice goalkeeper under Solari. It can’t be easy to lose your starting spot just like that, but he hasn’t really made a fuss at all about it until now.

Upon Zidane’s arrival, he has already put Navas back in goal and that isn’t likely to change after putting up a clean sheet. Navas praised him as “a great coach who gives a chance to all his players.”

Navas also said he has a “normal” relationship with Courtois, but he does not want to experience another season as he has undergone this year. He’s obviously a bit frustrated by the whole situation this season, as he kind of should be.

MARCA poll shows Mbappe is the Madridista choice

According to a poll of about 200,000 participators conducted by MARCA, Kylian Mbappe was the overwhelming choice for the Real Madrid dream signing this summer. MARCA reported that an overwhelming 79% of voters chose Mbappe among forwards, Harry Kane and Neymar didn’t even receive 10% of the vote.

It’s really no surprise that Mbappe is the favored choice for big transfer in the summer transfer period. He has all the makings of the next world superstar at only 20, already with a World Cup under his belt. The squad needs a dominant forward like him and he’s not even close to his prime yet.

Whether or not PSG allow him to leave is obviously the big question, Real would likely have to pony up a huge amount to even get their interest. This takes a hit with PSG winning their financial fair play appeal with UEFA. We’ll just have to see how it all unfolds under Zidane and Perez this summer, if not further in the future.

MARCA also found the choice at several other positions including: de Ligt for defender, Marcos Alonso for left back, Pogba for defensive midfielder and Hazard for playmaker.

Pogba speaks on “dream” of playing at Real Madrid

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba spoke with during a press conference on Wednesday with France prior to their match with Moldova this Friday.

“It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’ve always said Real Madrid is a dream club for every player.”

“At the moment I’m happy in Manchester. I play. There’s a new coach.”

Having Pogba at Real Madrid would obviously be a great thing. Perhaps if Mourinho were still at Manchester United, who Pogba I think quite clearly did not enjoy playing for, the situation would be more ripe for a transfer. Pogba glowingly praised Ole Solskjær during this conference.

With Solskjær at the helm now, Pogba has played much better at United and seems to be fairly happy with his new manager and situation with the club. I don’t personally see Pogba moving on from Old Trafford just yet until he is ready to see out this “dream” in Madrid.