I’m no longer a lightweight – De Gea

 

David De Gea

David De Gea says gym sessions and changing his diet have helped him “bulk up”  to cope with the physical rigours of English football, Express.co.uk reports

The Manchester United goalkeeper was criticised for being too lightweight and unable to deal with the battering  from opposition strikers to high balls when he first arrived from Atletico Madrid two and half years ago.

But after criticism of some his performances in his first campaign, Spaniard De Gea was voted into the PFA team of the year by his fellow professionals last season and has continued his improvement this term.

“I do a lot of work in the gym these days and I enjoy that,” he said. “I have also changed the food I eat and that’s helped me put on muscle and bulk up. It’s been a big change for me but I’ve noticed the results – I think it’s working.

“English food? You know what, I like it. People say you don’t eat very well in England but once you’re here, it’s absolutely fine. The truth is, you can find a lot of good food here. I have no complaints.”

De Gea, 22, has had to forge a relationship with a new goalkeeping coach this season following David Moyes’ decision to bring Chris Woods with him from Everton to replace Eric Steele in the summer.

“It’s going very well,” De Gea told Inside United. “Chris has brought in new ideas and new techniques and all the goalkeepers here seem very happy. We’re working hard and to a high standard and, most importantly, improving all the time.

“You don’t build those relationships and see results overnight – that wouldn’t happen at any club in the world. It’s natural that it is going to take a little time before everything clicks but I get the feeling we’re definitely getting there.

“Everybody at the club’s working hard and we all want success. We’re learning more about each other every day and that’s a big positive. Given time, we’ll have a lot of success.”

“I’m a very relaxed kind of guy and I like to think that spreads to the team and settles them down. My aim is to give the impression to my defenders that I’m in complete control and that they can rely on me 100 per cent – that helps everybody stay calm and composed.

“Edwin van Der Sar (his predecessor at United)  was excellent in that respect. He was always calm, which made everybody very happy. We have to use our minds a lot as goalkeepers – a lot of the job is about concentration.”

De Gea hopes his club performances will earn him a place in Spain’s World Cup squad in Brazil next summer, although he will have to displace either Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina or Victor Valdes.

He said, “Every player wants to play for his national team and doubly so when the World Cup comes around. I believe I’m playing well at the moment and I certainly hope I can be there in Brazil with the Spain team. For now, all I can do is concentrate on playing well for Manchester United.”