Manchester United and Spain Goalkeeper David de Gea seems to be as good at damage control and working through distractions as he is as stopping opposing shots. De Gea had been a serious doubt for Spain today in their 2016 European Championships opener against the Czech Republic due to a sexual assault case in which he has been implicated.
De Gea denounced the claims made against him as false on Friday and said that he is focused on the Euros. Today he more than backed up his words with his play on the field- accomplishing a clean sheet for Spain in their 1-0 victory over the Czechs.
Vincent Del Bosque’s decision to start De Gea today, which proved to be a the right call, could mark the end of Iker Casillas’ 14-year long spell as the Spain No. 1.
Big shoutout to De Gea, who got his head together and excelled amidst the distraction of the sexual assault case. Last summer, De Gea again put an off the pitch issue behind him and excelled on the field, as he was United’s Player of the Year in a season that began with his dream transfer move to his hometown team falling apart on deadline day in a well publicized clerical error fiasco.
Here’s what De Gea had to say on Friday, maintaining his innocence in the sex crime investigation. Transcription via the Daily Mirror.
“It is all a lie,” David De Gea said. “I feel even stronger about staying with the national team now… it is all false and it is in my lawyers hands”
“I never thought about leaving [the camp]. It gives me more strength to train even harder”
“I’m still very relaxed, just want to train and do what I like to do. I just want the tournament to start and to play.”
“I am a quiet guy and it is difficult that something affects me. And when something is false more reasons not to be affected”
“I was playing the Playstation in the room when I was told about it. Above all I wanted to tell my family, so they know this is all false, and they can be relaxed.”
“I know what I have done with my life. It is all false”
“I have no idea where reports came from or how I could be [mixed up] in this. I am very relaxed, and I can only say it is all false.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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