Following his exit from Manchester United at the final of the 2022-23 season, David De Gea has decided to mark his time before returning to competitive football. Despite receiving several offers to continue his career, the Madrid goalkeeper decided to hope for the right project, giving up opportunities and remaining inactive throughout the 2023-24 campaign. However, when Fiorentina reunited with a proposal, the Spaniard found in Florence the perfect place to write a new chapter on his career.
Fiorentina fans were quick to accept De Gea as one of their fans. In a city famous for its art and culture, Florence now has a new “David” to admire, in addition to the iconic Michelangelo statue in the Accademia Gallery. Week after week, the Spanish archer has converted into a key figure in the Artemio Franchi stadium, where his performance in the playing field is marking the difference for the 'Viola' team.
De Gea not only showed that his quality remains intact, but also silenced the boys on their level after United's pace. At 34, the goalkeeper has resurrected himself as one of the best in his position, leading the statisticians who placed him at the top of his families in Europe's major leagues. According to an informant from the CIES Fútbol Observatory, De Gea currently has the best save percentage among goalkeepers in the major European competitions (Serie A, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Premier League, Primeira Liga, Ligue 1 and Eredivisie). His impressive steel dose of 83% sat him at the head, thanks to famous names such as Diogo Costa (Porto), Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica) and Jan Oblak (Atlético Madrid).
This notable example has been vital for Fiorentina, who are having a solid season in both Serie A and European competitions. De Gea played 1,200 minutes in 13 matches, feeling he was the most used goalkeeper by coach Raffaele Palladino. His confidence under the three goals was a determining factor for the “Viola” team to remain among the best in Italy. With only 10 goals conceded in 14 league matches, Fiorentina boasts one of the most solid defenses in the league, a score that is largely attributed to the leadership and interventions of the Spanish archrival.
De Gea's impact has not been disappointed by experts and fans. Antonio di Gennaro, ex-Fiorentina player, praised the goalkeeper and defined him as the club's best player over the years: «He has a good goalkeeper and plays well, every 10 games. De Gea is the best player we have here in the last few years.” These words reflect the level of trust that the bow has inspired within the club environment, cementing itself as a key piece to the team's aspirations this season.
In Serie A, Fiorentina currently occupies fourth place with 31 points in 14 games, just three behind the leader, Atalanta, who has played one game more. This performance has the crew in a prime position to gain from the classification players in the Liga de Campeones, a goal that seems to have grown in previous campaigns. But the excellence of the crew is not limited to the domestic sphere. In the Conference League, Fiorentina is also showing its potential, sitting in the third group stage with 12 points from five games. De Gea's presence was key on both sides, bringing the experience and quality needed to compete at the highest level.
In addition to the numbers, De Gea's move to Fiorentina represents a personal and professional rebirth. After a Manchester United exit that left opinions divided, the goalkeeper has found an environment in Florence where he can shine again. His happiness and confidence are reflected both on and off the field, and his relationship with affection shows that he fits perfectly into the crew and the city.
De Gea's success at Fiorentina is not only redefining his career, but also underlies the importance of finding the right project at the right time. For a player with his trajectory, the decision to wait until he reached the ideal place has borne fruit, and his impact in Florence is proof that he still has much to offer European football.
As Fiorentina continues to advance in pursuit of ambitious goals this season, De Gea has cemented himself as one of the team's pillars. His example has not only raised the club's expectations, but has also reaffirmed his position as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. In a city that appreciates art as much as sport, the “David” of marble now shares prominence with the “David” of gloves, and both are a source of pride for Florence.
