Real Madrid News
Ancelotti sees Real Madrid starlet as a ‘natural replacement’ for Benzema, says agent
Speaking on Uruguayan radio Sport 890 (h/t AS), Alejandro Camano, the agent of Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Rodriguez has opened up on how manager Carlo Ancelotti rates the teenage striker very highly.
The 18-year-old striker signed for Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2020, arriving from Girona. After impressing at the youth level and for the Castilla team, Rodriguez got his first-team break in the ongoing campaign and he has made the most of it.
In six senior appearances for Ancelotti’s team, Rodriguez has scored and assisted one goal apiece and looked bright each time he has taken the pitch.
Camano, speaking about the Uruguayan prodigy’s first-team prospects at Real Madrid, insisted that Rodriguez is viewed as the natural replacement for captain Karim Benzema in case he is unavailable due to some reasons.
“The clubs have their intentions. Ancelotti considers Álvaro a natural replacement when something happens to Benzema and Real Madrid Castilla is in a position to be promoted to Segunda A, which has not been achieved at that club for a long time,” he said.
“In terms of minutes (with Madrid’s first team), it is not important what he adds up to but he is at the best club in the world and his international profile is tremendous at only 18 years of age. He arrived from the South American Championship, made his debut, scored a goal, made assists…,” he added.
Ancelotti has previously spoken very highly of the 18-year-old Rodriguez, who has netted ten goals in 37 matches for Raul’s Castilla so far in his career.
And despite rumours about Real Madrid wanting to sign a new striker in the summer, it is expected that the Uruguayan ace will be promoted to the first-team setup next season.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez has not been involved in recent games and Camano confirmed that the young striker was dealing with an injury, as he said:
“Álvaro currently has a small, very minor tear in the hamstring area. He stopped the previous weekend and in the next few days he will gradually return to training.”
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president dreaming of trident attack featuring €180 million-rated French starlet
Real Madrid have drawn a comprehensive roadmap for the upcoming summer transfer window and the club’s squad planning ahead of the new season, but as far as the club’s ambition is concerned, the objective is to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2024.
Real Madrid are expected to revolve everything around the idea of signing the PSG superstar next year, reports Alfredo Matilla and Sergio Santos.
As per the two Spanish journalists, Florentino Perez is envisioning a Real Madrid strikeforce comprising Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Mbappe.
The report points out that Real Madrid view the Frenchman as a realistic target as they expect him not to accept the option of extending his contract at PSG until 2025 next year. His fallout with the PSG has been already well-documented this year.
With Les Parisien seemingly failing to live up to Mbappe’s ambition, it could only be a matter of time before he opts to leave the club. To that end, Real Madrid will be prepared, especially at the end of next season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are starting to lose hope of signing Erling Haaland, because of the striker’s excellent relationship with Pep Guardiola which could keep him at Man City beyond 2024. Mbappe, therefore, has emerged as the top target for Los Blancos.
The potential strikeforce comprising Vinicius, Rodrygo and Mbappe could see Real Madrid operating in a 4-3-3 formation, with Mbappe playing at the centre. It must be noted that the club are also involved in the pursuit of Kai Havertz.
The German could be an intriguing addition to this strikeforce – potentially making Real Madrid one of the most feared attacking sides in Europe. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Los Blancos can actually manage to pull the signing of Mbappe or Havertz in the near future.
