<p>An ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois forced Real Madrid to make a move for Kepa Arrizabalaga for this season. The Spaniard arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu on <a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/08/14/official-announcement-kepa?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=organico" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">loan until the end of the season</a>. There is no buy option included for Real Madrid. Therefore, he will return to Chelsea following the 2023/24 campaign.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/real-madrid-lose-courtois-to-acl-injury-who-will-replace-him-20230811-WST-449407.html">Courtois’s injury</a> occurred mere days before the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign. Real Madrid began its LaLiga campaign on Saturday with a comfortable win over Athletic Club. The Belgian is indisputably one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and his abilities played a key role in Real Madrid’s success over recent seasons. However, it was 24-year-old Andriy Lunin to operate between the sticks. It was Lunin’s 10th league appearance for Real Madrid. </p>



<p>However, the Ukrainian spent most of his time with Real Madrid either on loan or strictly as a backup. Therefore, Real Madrid wanted a goalkeeper with regular starting experience. It went after Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made nine appearances in the Champions League last season with Chelsea. Additionally, he started 29 games for Chelsea in League play. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Kepa Arrizabalaga, new REAL MADRID PLAYER" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o-aHOCcZLHs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>Kepa is a downgrade from Courtois, but that is comparing Kepa to one of the greatest goalkeepers of a generation. With Chelsea last season, Kepa conceded around a goal per game. His 45 goals against in 39 appearances did come with 12 clean sheets. By comparison, Thibaut Courtois conceded one goal per game amid 17 clean sheets. Two of those clean sheets were against Kepa’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/real-madrid-advance-as-chelseas-awful-season-continues-20230418-WST-429031.html">Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals</a>.</p>



<h2>Kepa joins Real Madrid on season-long loan to replace Courtois</h2>



<p>Kepa’s arrival at Real Madrid is out of necessity. However, he topped the list of available goalkeepers Real Madrid could have brought in. For example, David de Gea is out of contract and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/no-de-gea-real-madrid-secure-courtois-replacement-on-loan-20230813-WST-449927.html">could have joined Real Madrid</a>. The two had serious connections for years while the Spanish goalkeeper was at Manchester United. </p>



<p>This time, Real Madrid went for a different Premier League goalkeeper. For Chelsea, it is trusting Robert Sanchez, who came over from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer for just shy of $30 million. He now replaces a trio of goalkeepers. Joining Kepa on the way out is Edouard Mendy, who left for Saudi Arabia this summer. USMNT goalkeeper Gaga Slonina is also out on loan in Belgium. In its <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-start-pochettino-era-with-liverpool-draw-20230813-WST-449951.html">opening weekend draw against Liverpool</a>, Robert Sanchez allowed one goal.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Kepa Arrizabalaga replaces Courtois at Real Madrid

An ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois forced Real Madrid to make a move for Kepa Arrizabalaga for this season.

<p>Real Madrid is in a last-minute panic to find a new goalkeeper as the 2023-24 season starts this weekend due to a shocking ACL injury from Thibaut Courtois.</p>



<p>Before Saturday’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">La Liga</a> season opener against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/athletic-bilbao-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Athletic Club</a>, Thibaut Courtois got <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38165938/real-madrid-eye-new-gk-courtois-injures-acl-sources">injured</a> in training and left in tears. The Madrid medical staff has determined that their No.1 shot-stopper ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will need surgery in the coming days.</p>



<p>The 31-year-old showed off his injured left leg in a subsequent Instagram post, which was elevated and bandaged up, confirming the seriousness of the injury. After the news broke, he turned to social media to express his gratitude to his supporters.</p>



<p>“You never expect to go through something like this but now it’s time to accept it and do everything to overcome it and come back even stronger. Thank you all for the energy, love, and encouragement, I assure you that they motivate me to recover as soon as possible”, he tweeted.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Nunca esperas pasar por algo como esto pero ahora toca aceptarlo y hacer todo para superarlo y volver aún más fuerte. Gracias a todos por la energía, el cariño y lo ánimos, os aseguro que me motivan para recuperarme cuanto antes. 🤍 <a href="https://t.co/Z30SEVhI7d">pic.twitter.com/Z30SEVhI7d</a></p>— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) <a href="https://twitter.com/thibautcourtois/status/1689668296486858752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Andriy Lunin is sole alternative for Madrid after Courtois ACL injury</h2>



<p>Recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a lengthy process because of the severity of the damage. <a href="https://theathletic.com/4765037/2023/08/10/thibaut-courtois-real-madrid-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a> reports that there are conflicting expectations for Courtois’ return to action this season. Some in Spain believe he might play again as early as April. Others believe Courtois could miss the entire season due to his ACL injury.</p>



<p>With the Belgian goalie likely out for the season, backup Andriy Lunin should take his place in the lineup. However, due to the 24-year-old’s lack of top-level experience, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> may have to look elsewhere for a new goalkeeper.</p>



<h5>David de Gea could finally fulfill Bernabeu dream</h5>



<p>Spanish publication <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2023/08/10/64d4d81522601dda148b456f.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marca</a> recently published a potential list of potential new keepers for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/12937354/david-de-gea-real-madrid-make-contact-with-former-man-utd-goalkeeper-after-thibaut-courtois-injury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Sports</a> claims that the Spanish giants have wasted little time in finding a replacement for Courtois.</p>



<p>A source close to the situation claims that Los Blancos have already made contact with David de Gea’s entourage. After <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> dropped a previously agreed-upon contract offer, the Spaniard <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/david-de-gea-confirms-manchester-united-exit-after-12-seasons-20230708-WST-442127.html">left for free</a> this summer.</p>



<p>Given his extensive background, excellent skill level, and low price, he may be the best option. Since Real’s effort to bring De Gea to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015 <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37431969/real-madrid-explain-david-de-gea-transfer-failure">failed</a>, it seems that this time around may be the charm.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus</em></p>


Real Madrid lose Courtois to ACL injury: Who will replace him?

Thibaut Courtois tore his ACL in training two days before Real Madrid began its LaLiga season, leaving the squad in a rush to replace him.

Latest news from Thibaut Courtois. Find out about all the news related to Thibaut Courtois on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Thibaut Courtois - Page 3"

News

Kepa Arrizabalaga replaces Courtois at Real Madrid

News

Real Madrid lose Courtois to ACL injury: Who will replace him?