Real Madrid News
Ancelotti will stay at Real Madrid next season regardless of Champions League outcome
MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra) reports that Carlo Ancelotti’s future at Santiago Bernabeu is written in stone for the next year. The UEFA Champions League and the result it harbours will play no part in the decision.
The report contrasts the news circulating in the media for the past month that stated that he would only continue if Los Blancos won either the Champions League or the Copa del Rey. Yet, it is important to take the news from a larger perspective.
Last month, Real Madrid were far from their best. Poor results in La Liga poured in with no control and the men in white had lost two successive Clasicos to Xavi’s Barcelona.
Heading into the international break, the pressure on Ancelotti was more than ever before. With the league out of the bag, the management insisted on winning at least one trophy to guarantee his future.
Since the return to club football, however, Real Madrid have been at a whole new level. Sparing the blemish against Villarreal, the Merengues have turned on the heat on all fronts.
A stunning comeback over Barcelona saw them secure a place in the final of the Copa del Rey while their recent win over Chelsea gives them a two-goal headstart for the second leg. A spot in the semifinal is no longer a distant possibility.
Thus, the decision to release the pressure on the Italian manager is understandable for he has truly turned the tide around. Now, the spotlight turns to Ancelotti to see if he is willing to see out another year after the links with Mauricio Pochettino.
The former Chelsea manager has openly advocated his wish to stay in Madrid for a long time now. However, with the job at the Brazilian National Team waiting patiently for his nod, he has a decision to make come June.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €3.5 million-rated relegated Premier League striker to reinforce attack
Following a difficult season with troubles in La Liga and the Champions League preventing Real Madrid from retaining their crowns, Los Blancos move towards a transformative summer, full of innovations.
Real Madrid managed to clear plenty of unwanted figures at the club, with a huge relief on the wage bill. However, with an array of exits, the squad has contracted and thus replacements are being inquired.
Apart from the high-profile departure of Karim Benzema, fringe players have also bid their farewell.
Among those names is Mariano Diaz, who was Madrid’s backup striker prior to his withdrawal. Several names have been put on the table to fill his absence as the club largely aim to address their lack of depth.
According to Arancha Rodriguez (via RM4Arab), Leeds United striker Rodrigo Moreno is one of the names gaining consensus in the Madrid hierarchy. Moreover, Joselu has also been considered as a viable alternative.
The two favourites to replace Mariano have proven to be important figures for their clubs as both strikers maintain a starting role.
Playing for Espanyol, Joselu ended the La Liga campaign as the third top scorer, only behind Benzema and Lewandowski. Considering Espanyol’s relegation, such a feat looks even more impressive. The Spaniard secured 19 goals in all competitions.
On the other hand, Rodrigo Moreno recorded 16 goals last season across all competitions. Similar to Joselu’s case, the Spanish international also suffered relegation with Leeds, in spite of his good numbers.
With both players offering adequate output in struggling sides, Real Madrid’s interest is practical. Moreover, considering both Espanyol and Leeds were relegated, their asking price will undeniably lower, which enables the Merengues to sign one of the two targets at a more convenient rate.
It is claimed that Rodrigo has a release clause worth €3.5 million which Los Blancos would have to trigger to sign him from Leeds United.
It now remains to be seen whether Carlo Ancelotti & co. go after the former Valencia man or move for Joselu instead.
