Real Madrid News
Chelsea defender unlikely to leave in the summer amid Real Madrid links – Romano
Real Madrid have been linked with a move for Reece James lately. The Chelsea star has emerged as one of the options for the Spanish giants, in their bid to add reinforcements in the right-back department.
Although Dani Carvajal has been an excellent servant for the club over the years, the defender is nearing the final phase of his career. He has also had fitness issues throughout his career, thus accentuating the need for a reliable alternative.
That is where Reece James comes into the fray. The English international had emerged as an exciting option for the club, as he can operate not only as a right-back but also as a wing-back. He can even play in a back three if required.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano (h/t Caught Offside), Reece James is not leaving Chelsea anytime soon. The defender will not depart Stamford Bridge despite links with Real Madrid.
It is hardly surprising as the Spanish giants are likely to face economic difficulties in funding a move for the English international, who is a doubt for the upcoming Champions League tie between the two sides.
With over 140 competitive appearances for Chelsea, coupled with his long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, James is destined to cost a fortune in the coming summer.
As part of their plans to sign the defender, Real Madrid were banking on Chelsea having to offload a few of their stars in the coming, in order to balance the books. But the Blues have several other unwanted players they can afford to offload, rather than getting rid of James.
Therefore, Real Madrid must look at other alternatives in their bid to sign a right-back next season. They were linked with a move for Joao Cancelo in January and might look to reconsider a move for the Portuguese international in the summer.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
