Real Madrid News
PSG will seek ‘revenge’ on Real Madrid following Kylian Mbappe transfer
Following Erling Haaland’s high profile move to Manchester City, it is Kylian Mbappe’s turn to make a decision on his future.
The Frenchman is running out of contract at PSG at the end of the season. While many expect him to make the switch to Real Madrid in the new season, the Parisian juggernaut are trying their best to keep hold of the player.
PSG have already offered Mbappe a lucrative salary along with image rights. But Mbappe has remained tight-lipped on his future and has recently admitted he is yet to make a decision.
Mbappe promised to come out with a decision in the coming week, so both Real Madrid and PSG could be set for a tense few days ahead.
A recent report from MARCA suggests Mbappe has already made his decision, which is to join Real Madrid. He already has an agreement with the Spanish club and his desire to join Los Blancos could be officiated soon.
The report indicates PSG are set to receive nothing from the operation, leaving them in a perilous position as they lose arguably their greatest asset without receiving a penny.
Replacing Mbappe could be a tough ask for PSG as well given his contributions to the team over the years. And with Messi, Neymar and Angel Di Maria reaching the twilight years of their respective careers, it would be essential for PSG to find a long-term option.
In light of the Mbappe operation, PSG will look to exact “revenge” on Real Madrid in the near future, perhaps by luring one of their own star players to the French capital.
The recently crowned French champions had notably brought in Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid last summer. But the move has not quite paid dividends, with the defender struggling with injuries in his first season in Ligue 1.
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.
