Real Madrid Transfer News & Rumors: Who Should Start in Goal, Iker Casillas vs. Keylor Navas?

Real Madrid has announced that Keylor Navas will be joining the club in 2014-15.

That sets up a three-goalie rotation that includes the likes of Diego Lopez and Iker Casillas. Lopez is expected to exit at some point in the coming days, leaving Casillas and Navas as the contenders for the top spot.

Navas is expected to be the starter, but things could be a bit more complicated based on recent events. Casillas has been named as the starter for the Euro Super Cup in a few weeks. This may be the result of Navas having no training or simply Casillas getting a chance to start in the game that results from the Champions League title he led the team to.

But Casillas is also a living legend and the team's captain. And that alone may force coach Carlo Ancelotti to make him the de facto starter.

But is it the right move?

Casillas is undergoing somewhat of a low point in his career. His position with the club was unquestioned heading into the 2012-13 season, but he was suddenly relegated to backup by manager Jose Mourinho and never recovered his status as the main man under Ancelotti in 2013-14. He was given a chance to start Cup matches and actually led his team to the Copa del Rey and Champions League with relatively solid performances. In fact, Casillas was the main reason Los Blancos overcame a tentative match in Dortmund in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal.

But it all came crashing down in the Champions League final. A major mistake on his part led to Atletico Madrid's lone goal that was set to stand as the winner before Sergio Ramos' miraculous header at the death. Crisis was averted, but Casillas' reputation was tainted.

Things would get worse in the World Cup.

He was the catalyst of Spain's 5-1 implosion against the Dutch and then gifted Chile with the second goal in a 2-0 defeat that eliminated Spain.

In the team's most recent preseason game against Manchester United, Casillas was at fault for all three goals in the 3-1 loss. He failed to cover the near post on the opening goal. Then he failed to react to a cross that eluded him before nestling into the far corner of the goal. And finally, he failed to eliminate a cross on the third goal that wound up hitting off of Javier Hernandez's head and went into his net.

Navas, on the other hand, has done nothing but prove himself a great goalkeeper. He was among the top keepers in the Spanish League in 2013-14, and then went on to dominate the World Cup. In five games for Costa Rica, he only conceded two goals in the entire tournament while leading his nation to the quarterfinals. He stopped over 20 shots in the process, and was undoubtedly the shining star for Costa Rica.

Both keepers rely heavily on their reflexes, but they are not particularly great in the air. This has proven problematic for the team in the past as Real Madrid's defense is far from assertive on aerial threats.

Navas' decision-making has been stronger in recent years, so that alone should make him the top choice to man Madrid's nets.

But it really comes down to Ancelotti. He did not shy away from keeping Casillas as a backup in 2013-14, but no one knows what kind of pressure he is under from the people above him. Does he go with the player in better form? Or does he give the living legend a second chance to redeem himself?

The answer to those questions could define Real Madrid's 2014-15 season.

Who should start in goal for Real Madrid--Iker Casillas or Keylor Navas? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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