Real Madrid News
Eder Militao talks Vinicius, Ramos, Brazil, Ancelotti ahead of Chelsea vs Real Madrid
A mainstay in the Real Madrid defence, Eder Militao has been hailed as one of the best centre-backs in the world this season. The Brazilian has guided los blancos from the back as they are en route to reaching the UCL semi-finals and possibly the Copa del Rey trophy.
They will have to face Chelsea on their path to the UCL, but have a 2-0 lead on aggregate against the blues on aggregate.
Ahead of the second leg, tomorrow, Militao spoke to the press as part of the customary player-manager pre-game conference.
On the game: “We have to do the same thing that we have been doing well. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult game.”
“Chelsea are a great team. We have to work a lot and we are going to do that. We are going to have to do a lot of things to win. It’s going to be a very difficult game, because Chelsea is a great team.”
“We have an advantage. Tomorrow we have to go out and win, not think about anything else. It’s going to be another difficult game. If we think about something else, we get complicated.”
On Vinicius: “He’s one of the best. It’s almost impossible to stop him, because he doesn’t stop running.”
On if he is the best CB in the world: “It’s everyone’s opinion. I think I’m on my way there. When I arrived it was a difficult time, because of the great players who were there. Now I think I’m doing very well.”
“As a center back, you have to work a lot. Today there are many good strikers and every day you have to prove that you are at your best personal level mentally. I think I’m doing that right. I try to give the most of me every game to make my teammates comfortable.”
On Sergio Ramos’ departure: “Concentration. Before it was a little complicated for me and with the help of everyone, the master and the colleagues, I listen to them a lot. I have to continue in this great moment and work to maintain this.”
On Carlo Ancelotti: “Ancelotti helps me a lot. He is a great coach. He talks to me almost every day. I have to learn more. Every day he teaches me something.”
On leading the Brazil defence: “In Brazil there has always been talk of attackers, but I am happy to be part of that path, of that evolution. Thiago Silva is a great defender, when I started playing I noticed and learnt from. He is a very good person.”
On Ancelotti’s future: “I leave this question for the master. I really like working with him here. I joke with him, but it’s his decision and he has a contract to fulfill.”
Source: Real Madrid TV
Real Madrid News
Mourinho does not want Real Madrid new signing to be affected by price tag, will continue slow integration
Real Madrid had an explosive summer transfer window with as many as six new big signings coming through to strengthen the first-team squad, while Sergio Martinez was also roped in with an eye on the future.
Up until Friday, things were going well for Jose Mourinho & co., but the 1-0 loss to Real Betis has put the team under the scanner once again.
Questions are being asked, in particular, of the club’s most explosive signing, Yan Diomande.
Mourinho not changing plans with Diomande
However, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho will continue with the plan of integrating Diomande slowly into the team.
The Real Madrid boss does not want the 19-year-old winger to be negatively affected by his massive price tag this summer and the pressure generated because of it.
After all, Los Blancos shelled out an enormous €125 million plus €15 million in add-ons to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Should all the variables be met, he will become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history. And, naturally, such a price tag brings with it a great deal of pressure.
As such, Mourinho wants to make sure that the Ivory Coast international is not affected in any way by the talk around his price tag and will continue to ease him into the team without rushing things.
Only a handful of minutes for Diomande
So far, Real Madrid have played four La Liga games this season and Diomande has not started even one of them.
Instead, Mourinho has opted to field Arda Guler on the right wing in three matches while Brahim Diaz started in the remaining one.
As for Diomande, he has come on as a substitute in each of the four games, but has only racked up a total of 83 minutes, without scoring or assisting a goal so far.
But, his limited minutes and slow integration are seemingly a part of Mourinho’s plans who is intent on not overexposing the teenage winger and put him under undue pressure due to the expectations that come with his price tag.
