Real Madrid News
German sources: Rudiger will go to Real Madrid
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is set to depart Stamford Bridge at the end of the season and German news outlet, BILD, has claimed that his next destination is set to be the white half of Madrid.
The 29-year-old defender has a valid contract with the Blues until the end of the season and while the team did try to tie him on a longer tenure, the attraction of playing for one of Europe’s biggest teams has forced him to reject any approach Chelsea made in the past.
Rudiger was offered a lucrative deal worth almost €240,000-per week and if accepted, it would have made him the highest-paid defender in the club’s history. However, the signing-on, as well as agent’s fees, proved to be the issue.
While it was already known that Rudiger would leave Chelsea, the scepticism was around the club he would pick since he had offers from Juventus as well as Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona were thought to be in the race too, but with Andreas Christensen already on the books and Ronald Araujo close to agreeing a new deal, they decided to back out.
Furthermore, he also had an offer from Manchester United waiting only to be accepted, but he preferred to move out of the Premier League altogether out of respect for the Blues, with whom he spent five seasons.
If it was for the wages, he would have easily put pen to paper since the Red Devils were ready to offer a contract worth €10 million per year.
During his time with Chelsea, the UEFA Champions League winner made 196 appearances across all competitions, making him a firm crowd favourite.
Rudiger’s arrival at Santiago Bernabeu represents a massive coup for Real Madrid ahead of the new 2022-23 football season. Even from an economical standpoint, he is nothing but a great addition that could well and truly ease up the pressure.
Real Madrid News
Atletico striker hoping Bellingham has an off day during derby: “He is at a great level”
Speaking to DAZN (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata admitted that Real Madrid midfield superstar Jude Bellingham is performing at a great level.
Real Madrid take on Atletico in La Liga on Sunday in the Madrid derby at the Civitas Metropolitano and without a doubt, Bellingham will pose a huge threat for the Rojiblancos.
Alvaro Morata hopes Bellingham as a quiet outing
Ahead of the blockbuster encounter on Sunday, Morata, who is Atletico’s main striker, admitted that Bellingham has great quality.
“I saw him last year in a few games, the truth is that he caught my attention. I saw him in his team and in his national team, and talking to people who had played with him, teammates he has, you could already see that he was a great player,” he said.
However, the former Real Madrid striker added that he hoped that the England international has an off day during the derby.
“The truth is that he is at a great level, we can only hope that he doesn’t do well and that we also have very good players to counteract that. We hope he doesn’t have a good day on Sunday,” Morata stated.
Bellingham fit and ready to go
Bellingham has been the in-form player for Real Madrid this season with six goals and an assist in six matches across all competitions.
So, naturally, there were concerns when he did not complete the training sessions on Friday due to stomach issues.
But, the 20-year-old returned to training today and Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he will play against Atleti tomorrow, with the Englishman named in the squad list as well.
