Petr Cech’s transfer from Chelsea to Arsenal was hailed by his former captain John Terry, who believed that the 33-year-old goalkeeper would add as many as 15 points per season to his new club.
In May, Cech received the prestigious recognition of being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, cementing his status as the most accomplished goalkeeper in the league’s history.
With an impressive tally of 202 clean sheets in the competition, including a remarkable 163 for Chelsea, Cech’s record is expected to endure for generations to come.
But, still a year younger than when Cech made that switch, where would David de Gea rank on the list of goalkeepers to have graced the English game?
In reference to Terry’s quote, some Manchester United fans may cruelly argue the Spaniard has similarly contributed to 15 points – but at his side’s expense.
In a career so far spanning 540 appearances in English football since arriving in 2011, De Gea has made 17 errors leading to goals in the Premier League – the most by any Spanish goalkeeper in the competition’s history.
But given the sheer volume of games, is that a particularly high number?
If this is to prove his final week in English football, his 12-year stay at Old Trafford will be rather hard to define.
Last season brought the Golden Glove as well as breaking Peter Schmeichel’s clean-sheet record.
When De Gea received the award, Roy Keane – at the forefront of his detractors – told Sky Sports: “United had to improve from last year, they were so bad defensively.
“They’re all patting him on the back. I’d move him on quickly, De Gea. He’s not going to get United back lifting trophies, absolutely not.
United were bound to improve from last year so everyone patting him on the head is ridiculous. It’s his job.”
That much is true, but it is not as if those in front of him have exactly excelled on a consistent basis during a decade-long search for another Premier League title.