Real Madrid News
How Rodri’s Real Madrid dream could put 23-year-old’s future in serious doubt – report
Eduardo Camavinga’s long-term future at Real Madrid is once again under the spotlight following fresh claims linking Rodri with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
While the Spanish midfielder’s arrival is far from certain, discussions within the club are already raising questions about what such a transfer could mean for one of Madrid’s most talented young players.
As observed from the conversation between Ruben Martin and Sergio Valentin, the growing speculation surrounding Rodri is beginning to have an indirect impact on Camavinga’s position within Jose Mourinho’s squad.
For now, even though the French international remains committed to Real Madrid, increased competition in midfield could leave him facing one of the biggest challenges of his career.
Rodri links increase competition in midfield
Much of the discussion centres on the balance of Mourinho’s squad rather than Camavinga’s ability.
According to Valentin, Mourinho believes Real Madrid already have an abundance of midfield options, with six or seven players competing for just three starting places.
Should Rodri eventually arrive from Manchester City, the battle for minutes would become even more intense.
That scenario could make it increasingly difficult for Camavinga to establish himself as a regular starter despite his versatility and undeniable quality.
For now, Real Madrid have not had any talks with Rodri, but the possibility of signing the World Cup’s best player has inevitably triggered conversations.
Camavinga has no desire to leave Real Madrid
Despite the growing speculation, Camavinga’s position remains unchanged.
The French midfielder is said to be fully settled in Madrid and continues to enjoy both life in the Spanish capital and his role at Real Madrid.
Simply put, leaving the Santiago Bernabeu is not part of his plans, and he remains determined to fight for his place under Mourinho.
However, those discussing the situation believe circumstances could change if opportunities become increasingly limited during the first half of the season.
Should Camavinga struggle to establish himself in the manager’s regular rotation, a move during the winter transfer window could eventually become a realistic option for the player’s own development.
At this stage, though, there is no indication that the midfielder is actively considering an exit.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
