Real Madrid has sent young Ukranian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin out on loan for the coming season. The move comes just two months after the19-year-old signed with Los Blancos.
The news of Lunin going out on loan is not all that surprising. Despite lacking depth at the striker position, the defending Champions League winners have no problem whatsoever when it comes to goalkeeping.
Thibaut Courtois was signed from Chelsea in early August and is expected to be a staple of manager Julen Lopetegui’s lineup in the future. The Spanish boss has several other options at his disposal with Keylor Navas still performing at a high level and Kiko Casilla, the reliable veteran, waiting for the opportunity to get on the pitch.
Lunin will spend the season away from his parent club, but he will not be leaving Madrid. The promising net-minder will spend 2018/2019 with cross-town rivals, CD Leganés.
Leganés has done some very good business with Real over the summer. They signed Oscar Rodriguez on a year-long loan just two weeks ago. The two young players will get some first-team experience while staying close enough for president Florentino Perez and Lopetegui to keep an eye on their progress.
Lunin would have struggled to play for both the first-team and the Castilla team if he had indeed stayed. Luca Zidane is still the regular starter for the youth side and is looked at as the fourth option behind Courtois, Navas, and Casilla.
Lunin will be competing with 34-year-old, Iván Cuéllar, for the starting spot with his temporary team.
Cuéllar had a solid 2017/2018 season making 35 starts while averaging 2.7 saves per match and picked up 14 clean sheets. But, the La Liga veteran allowed over a goal every 90 minutes and had a few bad stretches.
So, it wouldn’t be crazy to see Lunin getting playing time very soon.
Real Madrid will face Leganes on Saturday, but it is unlikely Lunin nor Rogriguez will be on the pitch against their parent club in the Bernabéu. Lunin is still adapting to his new environment and went through his first training session earlier today.
Los Blancos have sent a litany of players on loan over the summer window as they try to get their younger fringe players some quality experience. They will have a whopping 17 players playing elsewhere.
Of all of them – other than James Rodriguez or Mateo Kovacic – I am confident Lunin will get the most playing time. Leganes need a young goalkeeper who can play a high volume of matches and provide a spark. Since earning promotion two seasons ago, the side from southern Madrid has finished in 17th place, one spot above relegation.
They are sure to be hoping Lunin can help them finish much, much higher.