Real Madrid News
Injury update: Ferland Mendy ruled out of Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Benzema still a doubt
El Chiringuito has provided a fitness update on three Real Madrid players – Ferland Mendy, Karim Benzema, and Rodrygo. The trio went off injured in their 0-3 win over RCD Mallorca, and were labelled a doubt for the El Clasico next weekend.
The report states that Mendy has, indeed, been ruled out. He will be unavailable for the next 10-15 days, and could be replaced by either Marcelo or Nacho Fernandez in the starting XI against Barcelona.
Benzema, meanwhile, could still make the cut. Madrid are cautious about his injury and will do their best to get him fit in time for the game. The decision could still go either way, though.
Finally, Rodrygo has been deemed fit for the game, and will accompany the rest of the team for the clash. He could even get the nod to start over Marco Asensio on the right-wing, given his work-rate.
Barcelona’s defence has been picking up form as of late. While they have kept just four clean sheets in the last ten games, each of their opponents has found it difficult to create chances with Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo in fine form.
As such, the presence of Benzema becomes imperative. As the top scorer and assist provider in the league this season, the Frenchman could single-handedly prove to be the difference for Madrid.
If he’s unavailable, though, Carlo Ancelotti could likely rely on the services of one of Gareth Bale, Luke Jovic, or even Marco Asensio as a striker. Eden Hazard will be in the mix as well, but it’s unlikely that he starts uptop.
The coming days will clear up the situation a bit more for the capital outfit, but as it stands, they have been depleted severely.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
