Real Madrid: Thank you for your service, Alphonse Areola!
By Ben Sundock
After playing backup to Thibaut Courtois for the 2019/2020 season, Real Madrid will see goalkeeper Alphonse Areola return to Paris Saint-Germain. Is it the correct decision to let him walk away?
The rumors were correct when suggesting that Alphonse Areola had no intentions of returning to the Spanish capital after coming over from PSG as part of the Keylor Navas deal nearly a full year ago.
On Tuesday, Real Madrid made the official announcement that Areola would be departing the club in favor of a return back to his parent club. However, many believe this is just a temporary move.
"“Real Madrid C. F. confirms it has brought Alphonse Areola’s loan spell to an end. The club would like to thank Areola for his dedication, professionalism and exemplary conduct this season and wishes him the best of luck in this new chapter. Real Madrid also thanks PSG for the chance to have had Alphonse Areola as part of our squad.”"
Areola will return to PSG in the next couple of weeks to begin preparing for the 2020/2021 Ligue 1 campaign, but the French international hopes he can force a move to the Premier League some time in the next month.
As reported here on The Real Champs, Aerola’s family recently purchased a home in London and this could be the giveaway that points him towards joining an English club. Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is unhappy with Kepa Arrizabalaga and could look to Areola to start in goal for a season while the club finds an adequate replacement.
Featuring in just nine matches this season, Areola was not in consideration to ever be the starter for Zinedine Zidane – especially given how Courtois performed this season – but for a bit was looking like a decent option as a backup past just this season.
That, as we now know, will not be the case. The pressure will fall to Andriy Lunin who has struggled to establish himself while away from the club on loan with three separate teams over the last two years.
I think all of us Real Madrid fans can say a big thank you for the peace of mind having a veteran keeper like Areola on the bench to back up Thibaut. Though it wasn’t the most memorable loan spell, the Frenchman did what was asked of him and was a professional.
Next. It’s sad to see the current state of Gareth Bale. dark
Thank you Alphonse and good luck moving forward.