Real Madrid News
Raul believes young Real Madrid defender will pave way for other academy graduates
Raul Asencio was a surprise yet a necessary solution for Carlo Ancelotti when Eder Militao fell to an ACL knock against Mallorca, earlier this month.
The young defender came on as a first-half substitute for Militao, replacing the Brazilian at the heart of Real Madrid’s four-man backline.
It did not take him long to make an impact either, as the defender produced a brilliant pass that led to Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season.
Following Raul Asencio’s impressive performance on his debut, one would expect the youngster to have more minutes in the coming weeks, at least until Real Madrid find a new defender.
Raul’s take on Raul Asencio
The ascension of Raul Asencio appears to have impressed his namesake coach at RM Castilla, Raul Gonzalez.
In fact, Raul believes the youngster’s potential breakthrough in the Real Madrid first-team could pave the way for other La Fabrica graduates to make an impact going forward.
“Asencio’s arrival has given the youth team players hope of reaching the first team. The fact is that Madrid’s youth academy is the best in the world,” he told El Chiringuito.
Raul’s statement comes at a time when La Fabrica has lagged behind, in the race to produce more and more talent for the first team.
While the famed La Masia has given Barcelona several first-team stars in recent years, Real Madrid have failed in this aspect, no thanks to Carlo Ancelotti’s apprehension about using inexperienced individuals in the team.
But Raul Asencio could buck the trend, thanks to Real Madrid’s ongoing injury crisis in the defensive unit.
With David Alaba, Nacho Fernandez, Lucas Vazquez and Militao out injured, coupled with Jesus Vallejo growing into an ‘invisible entity’ at the club, Raul has an excellent opportunity to establish himself in the first team.
Although Real Madrid are looking for reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window, a series of impressive performances could go a long way in convincing Real Madrid to put their faith in Raul Asencio, at least until the end of the campaign.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
Hala_Madrid
November 17, 2024 at 5:49 pm
The academy has not slagged, the talents have always been there, it’s the first team coaches (Ancelotti, Zidane) who have never given them a chance whenever the first team needed backups. Those coaches would rather have those talents sent out on loan or sold.