Real Madrid News
Ancelotti has privately requested the signing of two players from Real Madrid – report
Real Madrid have not had the best of starts to the year so far. If the surprising defeat to Villarreal in La Liga was not enough, the club succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the Supercopa Espana final.
The Whites have also had a quiet January transfer window, even though the team is in a dire need of an overhaul, especially in certain areas of the pitch.
To that end, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has privately requested Real Madrid to sign a new fullback and a striker, even though he has maintained a stance of not signing any players during the ongoing January transfer window.
This has been reported by Diario AS (h/t Madrid Xtra), who further suggests that Ancelotti’s request has been rejected by the Real Madrid camp.
It appears the reigning Spanish champions are not on board with the idea of splashing the cash in January, knowing they may have a busy transfer window ahead of them in the summer.
Not to mention, Los Blancos may also have to tend to the contract situation of several star players, including Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, all of who have their respective deals expiring at the end of the season.
Renewing the deals for the aforementioned players may require additional capital, which in turn, could cripple Real Madrid’s powers in the market.
However, the Spanish giants are expected to enter the market for a new fullback and a striker at the end of the season. The fullback area, in particular, is a major concern, with the club lacking a reliable alternative for right-back Dani Carvajal or even the left-back Ferland Mendy.
Mendy is even facing an uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu, which may only accentuate the need for new fullbacks, as well as a striker that can prove to be a long-term replacement for the ageing Benzema.
Real Madrid News
Atletico striker hoping Bellingham has an off day during derby: “He is at a great level”
Speaking to DAZN (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata admitted that Real Madrid midfield superstar Jude Bellingham is performing at a great level.
Real Madrid take on Atletico in La Liga on Sunday in the Madrid derby at the Civitas Metropolitano and without a doubt, Bellingham will pose a huge threat for the Rojiblancos.
Alvaro Morata hopes Bellingham as a quiet outing
Ahead of the blockbuster encounter on Sunday, Morata, who is Atletico’s main striker, admitted that Bellingham has great quality.
“I saw him last year in a few games, the truth is that he caught my attention. I saw him in his team and in his national team, and talking to people who had played with him, teammates he has, you could already see that he was a great player,” he said.
However, the former Real Madrid striker added that he hoped that the England international has an off day during the derby.
“The truth is that he is at a great level, we can only hope that he doesn’t do well and that we also have very good players to counteract that. We hope he doesn’t have a good day on Sunday,” Morata stated.
Bellingham fit and ready to go
Bellingham has been the in-form player for Real Madrid this season with six goals and an assist in six matches across all competitions.
So, naturally, there were concerns when he did not complete the training sessions on Friday due to stomach issues.
But, the 20-year-old returned to training today and Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he will play against Atleti tomorrow, with the Englishman named in the squad list as well.
