Real Madrid News
Kylian Mbappe wants to leave PSG and join Real Madrid in January – report
Real Madrid were dealt with a massive blow in the summer when Kylian Mbappe rejected a move to Santiago Bernabeu in favour of a prolonged stay at Paris Saint-Germain. The forward even ended up signing a bumper contract extension at PSG that granted him additional powers at the club.
However, a few months into the new season, it appears the relationship between PSG and Mbappe has completely fallen apart. This has been reported by Mario Cortegana of MARCA, who suggests the Frenchman now wants to depart Parc des Princes in the upcoming January transfer window.
The Spanish journalist goes on to claim that the former AS Monaco starlet favours a move to Real Madrid, just months after he refused to move to Santiago Bernabeu.
PSG, though, have other ideas and only want to sell him to Liverpool, who are one of the clubs in contention to sign the Frenchman. However, with Mbappe keen on joining Real Madrid, we could potentially witness yet another elongated transfer saga.
Mbappe’s new season at PSG has seen him score 11 goals in 12 competitive matches so far. The forward has indeed managed to enhance his attacking partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the three attacking playing a key role in PSG’s success so far this season.
Mbappe’s potential exit could serve as a major blow for Les Parisiens, who are also facing the risk of losing Messi in 2023. The Argentine has indeed been linked with a potential return to Camp Nou next year.
As for Real Madrid, they could be in for an interesting transfer window in January. Even though the club may have the option to go after Mbappe once again, it is worth noting that the relationship between the two parties had taken a hit during the summer when the player rejected the opportunity to move to the Bernabeu.
But most importantly, Real Madrid are one of few clubs who have the luxury to go after Erling Haaland in 2024. The Norwegian international has proven to be an instant hit in the Premier League and is arguably a more tactically sound replacement for Karim Benzema.
Hence, Los Blancos may have a decision to make as they look to choose between two of the rising stars of world football, neither of who can co-exist with the other.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
