Although Diego Lopez might not be the biggest name that has been transferred this summer, there is a possibility that the Spanish goalkeeper’s move to AC Milan ends up being one of the most important.
Lopez joins a long list of players that have swapped Real Madrid for the Rossoneri but will be hoping to enjoy a better time at the San Siro than many of his predecessors; Ronaldo, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Emerson have all made the same trip.
One thing is certain; in securing Lopez’s signature, Milan have acquired a supremely talented goalkeeper.
Lopez joins a Rossoneri side that have been relying on veteran Christian Abbiati for a number of seasons and, while the bald-headed custodian will still push the newcomer for his spot between the sticks, perhaps his biggest challenge will be from fellow newcomer Michael Agazzi.
Abbiati’s stranglehold on the number one spot had come about almost by default – as if his longevity guaranteed him the selection. Given that he has been a consistent, if unspectacular, performer there was no need to find a replacement; in a team in a state of flux, Abbiati stood for stability.
However, at 37 years of age (only a year older than Gianluigi Buffon) Abbiati was always in danger of being phased out in favour of a younger model. Lopez is hardly a spring chicken himself at 32, but he should be able to hold the fort for a few years.
The former Real Madrid man moves to Italy after a strange couple of seasons at the Bernabeu, when first he was seen as a pawn in the politicking game of Jose Mourinho and Iker Casillas before, after performing admirably under the Portuguese, he was retained as first choice by Carlo Ancelotti.
This summer the arrival of Costa Rican stopper Keylor Navas promises to create another battle for places at Real Madrid and the European Champions’ hierarchy have indicated that they’d rather have just Casillas and Navas fighting it out; though it remains uncertain as to whether that is down to Casillas’ footballing ability or his standing within the club. Either way, it meant Lopez was shown the door.
He brings with him a considerable reputation and has, even this summer, been described as ‘the strongest goalkeeper in Europe’ by Rossoneri director Adriano Galliano. After the disappointment of his rejection by Florentino Perez and a Real Madrid he loves, he will arrive with a point to prove and in Filippo Inzaghi’s side, should have ample opportunity to do so.
Inzaghi himself was a master of disproving detractors, so he should be able to rally his new glove-man to be inspired to do the same.
A naturally brave goalkeeper, Lopez is neither unafraid to leave his station to repel forwards (though he does not possess the pace of a Lloris or a Neuer in this) nor unwilling to put his body on the line to win the ball, and he also possesses superb reactions and agility – Serie A’s highlight reels will surely see him clawing certain goals away, and tipping shots around either post – his fluid movement making it seem as though he has all the time in the world when he does.
The future is bright for Lopez at Milan. He will enter the San Siro as first choice – a luxury he has not enjoyed for a good while – and he is more than capable of keeping the starting berth for a number of seasons. In securing his services, and for no apparent fee, Adriano Galliani has pulled off something of a master stroke.
The only cloud on the horizon is Lopez’s age. though he has yet to put together a long enough spell at a club for any decline to be noted.
His age has to be taken into account as, while goalkeepers can certainly play at the 
top level at 35 years old and beyond, the Spaniard will reach that landmark in just three years.
In short, Lopez may be a fabulous solution to the goalkeeping problem the Rossoneri have had, but he will not be a long-term solution. In two or three years’ time, they will have to go through it all again. Had Lopez come at a high cost, that fact might have rendered the deal a dud. The fact he cost nothing, and should be able to remain at the top of his game for three or four seasons, is crucial in judging the deal.
AC Milan have acquired a top quality goalkeeper, and they have done so for free. There’s only one winner in the deal, and they play in stripes.
