Real Madrid News
PSG and Man City make contact with Real Madrid superstar; Arsenal also interested
The future of Rodrygo is slowly becoming a huge talking point at Real Madrid as the attacker continues to make an impression in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
Overshadowed by Arda Guler, who is seemingly becoming Xabi Alonso’s favourite, Rodrygo’s future at Real Madrid looks bleak.
This has led to speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal and even Saudi Arabia. But it appears a new player has joined the race to sign the Brazilian this summer.
PSG make contact with Rodrygo
According to ESPN Brasil (h/t Madrid Zone), PSG have entered the race to sign Rodrygo and have already made contact with Rodrygo’s agent.
This is quite signficant especially considering the bad blood between Real Madrid and PSG.
Manchester City, too, have reportedly made contact with Rodrygo’s camp, but the Premier League giants are not a new player.
City have been interested in Rodrygo for quite some time now and this summer could serve as an ideal opportunity for Pep Guardiola to further beef up the team’s ranks in attack.
As for PSG, they are well settled in attack, with a strike force consisting Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The addition of Rodrygo would further spruce up their attack.
Rodrygo, for his part, would ideally want to continue at Real Madrid and fight for a place in the starting lineup next season.
But the early signs indicate the Brazilian international is going to have a difficult time competing against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler.
Not to mention, Real Madrid will be boosted by the addition of Franco Mastantuono, who is expected to join the camp sometime in August.
A move away from Santiago Bernabeu, therefore, could be the more logical move for Rodrygo, with Man City, PSG and Arsenal more than ready to hand him an offer.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid key midfielder ready to start vs Atletico Madrid after strong return from injury
Real Madrid have had a few injuries to contend with since the start of the season, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick all serving spells on the sidelines.
The trio are back in training now and looking to work their way into Jose Mourinho’s plans after a disrupted pre-season.
Now, according to Alberto Pereiro, Tchouameni appears to be winning the race to return to Real Madrid’s starting XI for the derby against Atletico Madrid.
The 26-year-old is said to be in the best physical condition of the players who have recently returned from injury.
Thiago Pitarch, Endrick and Tchouameni all rejoined team training last week, but the Frenchman is currently considered the most match-ready of the three.
Tchouameni ahead in the recovery race
As such, Tchouameni is now expected to start against Atletico Madrid later this week. That would be an important boost for Mourinho considering the physical nature of the game in store.
Tchouameni gives Real Madrid something very specific in midfield. He can protect the defence, compete in duels, cover large spaces and provide the kind of structure Mourinho values when matches become chaotic.
His return would also allow Real Madrid to approach the game with more balance around Federico Valverde and the attacking players ahead of them.
Mourinho has always valued his profile
Mourinho has been careful with Tchouameni’s recovery rather than rushing him back before he was fully ready.
That patience now looks set to pay off. Madrid have enough technical quality in midfield, but against Atletico, the game is unlikely to be decided by possession alone.
The ability to win second balls, close transition spaces and survive physically intense periods could be just as important.
This is exactly where Tchouameni thrives.
Pitarch and Endrick may need more time
The latest update also suggests Pitarch and Endrick are slightly behind Tchouameni in terms of physical readiness.
That does not necessarily mean either player is unavailable, but it would make sense for Mourinho to manage their minutes more cautiously. The duo are expected to be fully ready after the international break.
Pitarch still has an important role to play in a crowded midfield, while Endrick will be looking to re-establish himself in the attacking rotation after his own injury interruption.
For the derby, neither of those players is likely to be an option for the XI, but Tchouameni will definitely be a great addition.
If he does start, it would underline how highly Mourinho values him in the biggest matches. At the Metropolitano, Madrid may need Tchouameni more than anyone else, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
