'Casillas is not finished' - Jesus Fernandez

The former Real Madrid goalkeeper says the Spain veteran has been unfairly criticised at times and admits it is hard to imagine the club without Sergio Ramos

By Alberto Piñero

Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas is far from finished as a top-level goalkeeper, according to Levante's Jesus Fernandez.

Casillas has seen his stock plummet over the past 18 months which began during an ignominious episode during Jose Mourinho's time at the club, in which he was dropped as first-choice goalkeeper.

A number of high-profile blunders and Madrid's fervent pursuit of Manchester United star David de Gea this summer has further fuelled the belief that Casillas' illustrious career is firmly on a downward spiral.

However, Jesus - who came through the Madrid Castilla side and spent years training alongside the Spain skipper - is adamant that Casillas still has plenty to offer.

"No, he's not finished!" he told Goal. "There are situations in everyone's career. Casillas is a great keeper and has given a lot to Real Madrid.

"It is very difficult to lead a line as well as he has for so long, and he's at a club where you are exposed to criticism as everything is magnified.

"There may be people who were a little unfair with him, but eventually you have to decide between the player and the club."
Jesus believes Madrid would seem a very different place should Sergio Ramos - wanted by Manchester United - leave this summer, though he accepts that no player is indispensible.

"It's hard to imagine [Ramos not being there]," said the 27-year-old. "He's a symbol of Real Madrid, and has given the club a lot. He has lots of character and is an important part of the club.

"But, in the end, football is like that, and nobody is essential. It has also happened to other players, and the final decision has to be taken by the player himself and the club."

Jesus, who struggled to force his way into Madrid's plans prior to his switch to Levante, denies he felt the pressure of having to try to replace Keylor Navas following the Costa Rican's move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I personally did not feel that pressure. I tried to do my job as best as possible without thinking about who had been here before. The situation then changed, but I did not think it was just for that.

"He [Navas] had a last great season at Levante. From one year to another, many things change. Keylor is a great goalkeeper and had a very good legacy at Levante."

Despite uncertainty over his first-team opportunities at the Ciutat de Valencia, Jesus insists he is looking forward to the prospect of a second season with the club.

"My future is Levante," he added. "I have a year of my contract left and I'm very excited.

"If, then, there is any offer or any opportunity that benefits both the club and me, we'll see, as any player would. But I'm focused on Levante."