Real Madrid News
Injury update: Real Madrid midfielder ruled out of first leg vs Man City
When the news of Luka Modric’s injury first broke after Real Madrid’s clash against Girona, Carlo Ancelotti had one player singled out to replace the veteran for the crucial games against Osasuna and Manchester City. In fact, he even went on to publicly name his candidate in his press conference before the Almeria clash.
“The one I see as the most similar in terms of characteristics is Ceballos.”
Ironically, however, the Spanish international was ruled out of the Copa del Rey final through discomfort in his right thigh. The situation also saw a complete reversal when Luka Modric played part in the final ten minutes and the player slated to be his replacement sat on the sidelines.
According to reports from MARCA, Ceballos’ injury is worse than initially expected. The midfielder will miss the midweek clash against Manchester City and the subsequent outing against Getafe. The earliest he could return is the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal.
The Spanish international’s absence for the coming week is a big blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. After all, he is the player the coach trusts most to play as an interior after Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Ceballos’ stocks have grown in the second half of the season and he now regularly features week-in and week-out for Los Blancos. Needless to say, he is a more than able impact player off the bench for Ancelotti.
The 26-year-old has made 25 appearances for the Merengues in La Liga this season in addition to his six UCL starts. In that duration, he has racked up three assists and averages one key pass per game.
Ceballos may not have played a part in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final but he was one of the main reasons his side even stood on the grass that night. After all, it was his cameo against Villarreal that turned the tide and helped Real Madrid come back from two goals down.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid plan to hold talks with Chelsea over €60 million-rated German international
Kai Havertz has emerged as the latest target for Real Madrid as they look to beef up the attacking unit ahead of the new season.
The club are bracing themselves for the loss of Marco Asensio, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Even Dani Ceballos is facing an uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu, though the club are making a last-gasp effort to keep hold of the midfielder.
In order to mitigate the losses, Real Madrid are planning to bring in a new attacker, with Havertz emerging as a potential candidate.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid’s plan is to hold talks with Chelsea in the next few weeks, over the possibility of Havertz’s move to the Bernabeu.
The Premier League giants seek good money for the German international, but do not consider him ‘untouchable’. The player, after all, has endured a difficult season, where his productivity has been questioned.
The former Bayer Leverkusen starlet has netted seven goals in the Premier League this past season, but the number could have easily breached the 15 mark if the forward had successfully converted most of his chances.
Chelsea, therefore, are ready to offload the German ahead of the new season. The Blues had signed the young playmaker in the summer of 2020, for an astounding €80 million. But the move has not paid off at all, with the player scoring just 32 goals in 139 appearances.
Chelsea are now keen on recouping some of that investment by asking big money for Havertz this summer. Real Madrid, for their part, are not exactly clear how much they should spend on the German, but they appear ready to take the gamble on the player.
