Since the Costa Rica international made the move to Real Madrid after a stunning World Cup, the Valencia-based side have been locked in a fruitless cycle of attempting to replace their former number one. No fewer than 10 keepers have been signed in the three-and-a-half seasons since Navas departed but none have come close to making the number one shirt at the Ciutat de Valencia their own.
Navas made his name at Levante
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After finishing 11th and 10th in Navas’ two full seasons at the club (on loan from Albacete in 2011-12 he played only one league game as Levante finished sixth), Levante were relegated in 2015-16 but bounced back at the first attempt. During his time at Levante, Navas was voted Liga keeper of the year for 2013-14 and the same season became the first stopper to win the Liga player of the Month award in March 2014.
10 pretenders to Navas' throne
Iván Villar. The latest addition to Muñiz's squad, he was signed on loan in January after Mitchell Langerak left and Raúl suffered an injury.
Koke Vegas. The youth team product debuted in Segunda last season but left in the summer to look for more playing time. Although he found it at Alcoyano he was recalled to cover for injuries.
Mitch Langerak. Arrived from the Bundesliga in the guise of a new number one but left for Japan after playing just one game.
Oier Olazábal. The current number one, he has been at Levante for a year now.
Raúl Fernández. Won the Zamora trophy last season in Segunda and started 2017-18 as first-choice but fell out of favour with Muñiz. A neck injury subsequently ended his season.
Álex Remiro. Started last season as number one but lasted only five games and joined Athletic in January.
Rubén Martínez. Featured for a half of Levante's relegation season in 2015-16 and was dropped for Diego Mariño.
Diego Mariño. Number one for the second half of 2015-16 but could jnot save the side from the drop.
Jesús Fernández. Navas' original replacement but only played eight games for the Frogs and went out on loan the following January.
Javi Jiménez. Number two behind Navas in 2013-14, he did not convince the club he would be an adequate replacement and ended up going out on loan.
