Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid emerges as a candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa – report
Real Madrid’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League last night likely implies that the club will go trophyless this season. After all, they are too far behind in La Liga and only a miracle can see them overturn that deficit.
With the team set to go trophy-less for the second campaign in a row, Florentino Perez and Co. will look to introduce radical changes from the very core of the current project.
Part of that revolution will begin by replacing big names in the team, especially in positions that seem to lack the required quality and depth. An equally important factor, however, is the decision over the managerial situation.
An familiar face
As reported earlier today, Real Madrid are looking to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the season and are looking for an experienced option who can keep the dressing room in check and give the project the right direction.
El Mundo now brings to light that Los Blancos have a familiar name on the radar as one of the experienced options, and it is none other than Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese coach’s name arises as a rather surprising one, especially given how the club appeared strictly against his recruitment just months ago.
Indeed, the Portuguese coach fell off the Merengues’ wishlist with his comments after Real Madrid’s game against Benfica when Gianluca Prestianni racially abused Vinicius Jr. on the field.
At the time, Mourinho openly supported Prestianni and called out Vinicius Jr. for his celebration – a stance that did not go down well with the Real Madrid hierarchy.
Now, however, they seem to have taken a U-turn on that decision as they again open the doors for a Mourinho return, although it remains to be seen if the dressing room get along well with him after the fiasco earlier this season.
Didier Deschamps, Lionel Scaloni, Jurgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino are the other options on their radar as matters stand.
Real Madrid News
English legend backs Real Madrid star to become one of the all-time greats: ‘He’s got everything’
Jude Bellingham has spent the past fortnight as the most talked-about footballer in England, and the superlatives show no sign of slowing down.
A masterclass in the Nations League, a clutch of records and a second straight Player of the Year award has not gone unnoticed in English footballing media.
Now one of the English game’s most respected voices has added his name to the growing list of believers.
Lineker backs Bellingham
Asked whether Bellingham can go on to become one of the greatest players of all time, England legend Gary Lineker left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’ve been saying it for a long time now. If he avoids serious injury or falls of the rails which he won’t I’m sure.
“He’s so good at football, he’s got everything. He’s a superstar and carries himself like a superstar,” he said (h/t Track Radio).
The verdict chimes comes in the midst of a wider chorus of acclaim in recent days. Roy Keane tipped him to become one of the greatest of all time after the Croatia rout, with Ian Wright and Micah Richards among others queuing up to praise him.
Backed by the numbers
The acclaim for Bellingham comes on the back of an extraordinary international break for Bellingham.
Against Croatia, Bellingham scored one and created three in the 7-0 win, becoming the first England player to record four goal involvements in a single game since David Platt in 1993.
He finished the window with one goal and four assists and was named UEFA’s Player of the Round.
That international excellence has carried over to the Bernabeu, where he has settled into a free number 10 role under Jose Mourinho and sits as the club’s joint-leading creator.
Bellingham was part of Real Madrid’s recent 1-0 win over Villarreal as well, and was unlucky not to register an assist when Vinicius Jr.’s goal was disallowed.
The Englishman will be looking to make an impact once again when Real Madrid take on AS Roma this Wednesday.
