Real Madrid News
La Liga rivals prioritise January move for Real Madrid midfielder – report
Dani Ceballos is one of the players with the least playing time at Real Madrid this season. Having struggled to carve out a place for himself in the scheme of things, the manager may be close to a change of scenery come January.
With just over 200 minutes spread across eight matches under Carlo Ancelotti’s management, Ceballos’ future does seem to be pointing away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Betis interested in Dani Ceballos
Now, Fichajes reports that Real Betis, the team where Ceballos developed and made a name for himself before moving to Madrid, are emerging as the primary club interested in bringing the midfielder back, making him their top priority in the upcoming transfer market.
Ceballos’ limited role at Madrid has not gone unnoticed. Although his talent is still widely acknowledged, the lack of opportunities has placed him on the exit ramp.
Meanwhile, Betis are looking to strengthen their squad following a difficult start in the Conference League, where disappointing results have created tension among the club’s supporters.
The Betis management hopes that the return of a player of Ceballos’ calibre could provide footballing solutions and restore calm to the atmosphere at Benito Villamarín.
The midfielder, who left a lasting impression during his previous spell at Betis, would be open to a return to his boyhood club. There, he would not only find more playing time but also a familiar environment that could help reignite his best form.
However, Real Madrid will not make it easy for him to leave, aware that he could still be useful in certain situations later in the season.
Real Betis view Ceballos as a key piece to strengthen their project and are willing to make a financial effort to secure the signing. His return would be a significant move to improve the squad and a gesture of reconciliation with the fans.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Andalusian midfielder will once again don the green and white and regain the prominence he so desires.
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
