Real Madrid News
Raul says Ancelotti is well aware of the talent in Castilla: “Knows about all the players”
Real Madrid were dealt a major blow earlier in the campaign when Karim Benzema picked up a thigh injury. The forward, one of the favorites to win the 2022 Ballon d’Or award, was subsequently ruled out for a few weeks.
However, Real Madrid have coped well with the absence of Benzema, with the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo coming to the fore.
But the lack of an alternative for Benzema remains a major issue for Real Madrid, especially with Mariano Diaz having no prominence in the first team. The former Lyon starlet is even set to depart the club in the near future.
In light of all this, Carlo Ancelotti has been criticized for not giving priority to the younger players in the academy, with many urging the coach to call up some of the top performers from the Real Madrid Castilla squad.
However, reacting to the issue, Castilla manager Raul has heaped praise on Ancelotti, suggesting that the senior team coach is aware of all the players in the subsidiary squad.
“Ancelotti knows about all the players here (Castilla),” said Raul (h/t MARCA). “It is very positive for the boys to see that we are all united: the first team, Castilla, with Ancelotti, with Davide…,” the Real Madrid legend added.
A host of Castilla starlets are already making a case for earning promotion to the senior side lately. The list involves the likes of Sergio Arribas, Rafa Marin, Carlos Dotor, and Peter, among many others.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see whether any of these youngsters can make a breakthrough into the first team.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
