Real Madrid News
Tottenham concerned Real Madrid might make a move for defensive mainstay – report
Real Madrid’s objective is to strengthen their defensive line in the upcoming summer transfer window before the start of the next season.
Despite spending big on reinforcements last year, the backline, particularly the centre-back area, has once again caused problems for Los Blancos.
Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger have again spent a large part of the season out injured, David Alaba’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Dean Huijsen’s form has declined after a bright start.
As such, the signing of a new central defender is seen as a priority at Valdebebas for the summer.
Tottenham fear Real Madrid could move for Micky van de Ven
Now, according to Defensa Central, concern is growing at Tottenham over the future of Micky van de Ven. The Premier League club fear that Real Madrid, in clear need of defensive reinforcements, could soon set their sights on the Dutch centre-back.
The Dutch defender is under contract with the north London club until 2029, but everything could change if Florentino Perez & co. decide to pursue him.
At present, there has been no recent discussion about Van de Ven in Valdebebas. However, he is one of the defenders who was already considered by the club in the past, meaning he is well known to Real Madrid’s technical department.
A tall, physically strong and left-footed central defender, Van de Ven ticks a lot of boxes for Real Madrid, thanks to his ball-playing abilities, ground speed, and experience at the top level.
Moreover, at only 24 years old, he would be a long-term signing for Los Blancos, should they decide to go after him.
However, for now, he is not being discussed at the club offices, with Real Madrid looking at a player of similar profile – Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund.
The German international is gaining weight as a priority target for the summer, given that his contract with the Black and Yellows expires in 2027 and a renewal is unlikely.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
