Real Madrid News
Carvajal talks Alonso, Ancelotti, Huijsen, Alexander-Arnold, Club World Cup
Real Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal has addressed several major talking points surrounding the club as the team prepares for the upcoming Club World Cup.
Recovering from a serious injury, the right-back remains optimistic about returning to the squad in time for the tournament and is ready to compete, even with the looming arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Carvajal, who has been part of Real Madrid for over a decade, spoke with determination about his fitness:
“I feel very good and I’m getting in shape. In the coming weeks, I’ll continue training and travel to the Club World Cup. Then I’ll start being with the team and assess when I can compete.”
Despite a season where Real Madrid failed to win La Liga, the Champions League, or the Copa del Rey, Carvajal is not short of motivation.
“We still have this last title left, and we’ll go for it with everything we have,” he said. “Real Madrid is what its history is. We’ll try to win it all again.”
On TAA and Alonso
The focus then turned to his future competition, Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to be the club’s new signing. While nothing has been made official, Carvajal is taking the speculation in stride:
“Fear? We don’t talk about fear here. We will be teammates. Competition improves both of us and brings out the best in each of us.”
The Spanish defender also gave his thoughts on Xabi Alonso, the favourite to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid’s next head coach. Having shared the pitch with Alonso in his early days, Carvajal showed support for the possible appointment:
“He knows the club better than anyone. He’s been a player and defended the badge for many years. That’s a big plus for becoming a coach.
“Xabi is coming off two fantastic seasons with Bayer Leverkusen. Time will tell if he’s the right man to turn things around, but I think he’s going to do very well.”
On Ancelotti and Huijsen
Still, Carvajal couldn’t hide his sadness at Ancelotti’s departure, a manager who has guided him throughout the highs and lows of his career.
“I’m very sad about Carlo’s departure. I’ve been with him in both his stints, and we’ve won everything together. For me, he’s like a footballing father,” Carvajal confessed.
“I hope next Saturday the manager will get the farewell he deserves as the most successful coach in Real Madrid history.”
In addition, the Spanish international spoke briefly about Dean Huijsen, Real Madrid’s newest signing, who is viewed as a promising talent for the future. “We haven’t spoken yet. He is a great signing and a good player. We welcome him, and he will help us a lot.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
