Real Madrid News
Ancelotti concerned about the physical exhaustion of two Real Madrid stars
The FIFA World Cup 2022 will come to an end later tonight when Argentina and France face off in the finals of the tournament at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
As many as 12 Real Madrid players were called up for the World Cup excluding Karim Benzema who had to return before the tournament due to an injury.
Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), Antonio Rudiger (Germany), Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Dani Carvajal and Marco Asensio (Spain), Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Luka Modric (Croatia) and Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga (France) were the ones in Qatar.
Of the 12, though, only two remain alive in the competition heading into the final in Tchouameni and Camavinga. Meanwhile, Modric finished in third place with Croatia after defeating Morocco last evening.
And, according to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is very much concerned about the physical exhaustion of two of his players in Modric and Tchouameni ahead of the restart of the season.
Of the 12 Los Blancos’ stars that were in Qatar, four were eliminated at the group stages itself and have already returned to training. Two more crashed out at the Round of 16, while three more were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Only Modric, Tchouameni, and Camavinga made it as far as the semi-finals. Of the trio, though, Camavinga has hardly played for France at the tournament. But, Modric and Tchouameni have been permanent fixtures for their respective teams throughout the World Cup.
Indeed, Modric played in each of Croatia’s seven matches to help them secure a podium finish. And at 37, the midfielder put his body through great strain, and Ancelotti is worried about the physical wear and tear that the veteran might have experienced which might hamper Real Madrid in the second half of the season.
Tchouameni, too, has been an ever-present in France’s midfield, featuring in each of their six games and is expected to start in the finals today, having recovered from a minor hip issue.
But given that Real Madrid have counted on him to replace Casemiro this season, Ancelotti is naturally concerned about Tchouameni suffering the after-effects of his exertions at the World Cup once club football resumes.
Real Madrid will restart their campaign against Real Valladolid on December 30, but it is unlikely that either Modric or Tchouameni will be rushed back into action for that contest. Ancelotti will prefer to take it easy with the duo, especially with Los Blancos facing a nightmarish schedule in early 2023.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
