Colo Colo is in the midst of urgent preparations as they seek to filled the significant gap left by departing goalkeeper Brayan Cortés. With the club gearing up for its pre-season starting December 20, 2024, head coach Jorge Almirón has acknowledged the pressing need for reinforcements.
After Cortés's departure, Almirón faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement. The hunt began when the first choice, fellow Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, reportedly rejected the idea of making a comeback to professional football. This left the coaching staff and the club's management scrambling for alternatives.
Among the names being considered, Keylor Navas, the experienced goalkeeper formerly associated with top European clubs including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, has emerged as potential candidate, though no negotiations are yet underway. Almirón addressed the issue directly, stating, "Es un gran nombre propio, tiene una gran jerarquía" ("He is a great name, he has great hierarchy"), when asked about the Costa Rican superstar.
Almirón emphasized the importance of having experienced players, particularly for the role of goalkeeper. "Colo Colo es el equipo más grande entonces para no dudar en eso, es importante un arquero de experiencia" ("Colo Colo is the biggest team, so there is no doubt, it's important to have an experienced goalkeeper"), he remarked, reflecting the pressure he feels to solidify the team before the upcoming season.
Despite Navas being touted as one of the options, Almirón clarified, "No, no hablamos" ("No, we didn't speak"), emphasizing there have been no direct discussions with Navas, indicating the speculative nature of this potential transfer.
The urgency among the management stems not just from Cortés’s exit but also from the overall restructuring of the team. With several players having left, including key figures like César Fuentes and Gonzalo Castellani, Colo Colo's leadership is diligently analyzing various prospects for the position.
Names like Matías Dituro have also made the shortlist for potential successors. Dituro, currently with Elche, was mentioned by Almirón, who returns from holidays with clarity about the need for reinforcements. Almirón, revealed, "Es un gran nombre, pero todavía no tiene claro los candidatos" ("It is a great name, but he still does not have clear candidates"), hinting at the deliberation still taking place within the club.
Colo Colo's management, including Daniel Morón, is actively reviewing curricula of various other goalkeepers as well. Prospects such as Gabriel Arias and Washington Aguerre have been mentioned, along with others like Roberto Fernández from Botafogo and Javier Burrai from Barcelona SC of Ecuador.
Time is of the essence, as the team’s pre-season training sessions are fast approaching, and the lack of reinforcements could seriously diminish their competitive edge. Almirón remains hopeful, believing their current goalkeepers, Fernando De Paul and Eduardo Villanueva, both possess the capability to rise to the challenge, but he stresses the advantage of experience.
The club and its followers are closely watching developments, particularly the fate of Navas. His illustrious career includes multiple Champions League titles and international appearances with Costa Rica, making him not only an attractive option but also potentially influential for the team’s performance and morale.
Despite the obvious allure of adding Navas to their ranks, his high salary demands and interest from other clubs complicate matters. Clubs both within South America and beyond might well be monitoring the situation closely, eager to secure the services of the celebrated goalkeeper.
Almirón's strategy appears to be focused on ensuring any new signing uplifts the team's spirit and enhances its performance on the field. It’s evident he wants not just skill, but leadership and maturity as well from whoever dons the gloves for one of Chile's most prestigious clubs.
Moving forward, the dialogue surrounding key signings like Keylor Navas will persist, but the coach remains committed to evaluating all available candidates to find the best fit for the challenges at hand. The next few weeks are pivotal as final decisions are approached, laying the groundwork for what they hope will be a successful season.
