Real Madrid News
Ancelotti to rest Benzema for Getafe vs Real Madrid, striker not in training today – report
According to Jose Luis Sanchez, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has decided to rest star striker Karim Benzema for their upcoming game against Getafe.
The 34-year-old superstar only recently returned from an injury layoff and has looked a bit scratchy in front of goal in the last two matches against Osasuna and Shakhtar Donetsk.
With a crucial week ahead for Los Blancos, it seems like the manager has decided to keep his ace goalscorer fresh and not risk any injuries by using him in the game against Getafe tomorrow.
Earlier today, journalist Arancha Rodriguez had reported that the French international had not participated in team training with the rest of the group. While it had led to some concerns within fans, it was soon clarified that the 34-year-old was not injured, but was being rested.
Real Madrid play Shakhtar Donetsk again next week in the Champions League. A win there would guarantee them progression into the quarterfinals. After that, the huge El Clasico against Barcelona awaits at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With both teams neck to neck in the La Liga title race, the outcome of that match will have major repercussions. Hence, it seems like Ancelotti has made the decision to not risk Benzema ahead of two major fixtures.
During his injury-enforced absence prior to the international break, Real Madrid had coped well as the likes of Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde stepped up and carried the goalscoring burden.
And Ancelotti will once again look to the trio to deliver the goods when his team takes the pitch against Getafe this weekend.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
