Real Madrid News
Real Madrid choose three players to replace Modric, Kroos, Casemiro – report
Real Madrid’s triple Champions League winning team was composed of several vital components. However, the heart and soul of that team was the hardworking, yet technically astounding midfield that put in stupendous shifts.
Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro will go down as one of the best midfield trios of all time. The three continue to play at a high level despite being on the other side of 30 and are still indispensable to Real Madrid’s setup.
Now, the club must look for reinforcements for their veterans. According to reports from MARCA, Los Blancos have identified Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni as their future midfield.
Of the three players, two are already a part of Ancelotti’s dynamics. However, the operation to bring the Tchouameni to the Bernabeu is complicated.
Monaco demand a fee of €60 million for their midfielder, a fee that is considered steep by the Real Madrid offices. The 22-year-old is seen as the ideal successor to Casemiro but whether he is worth the fee commanded remains to be seen.
In 25 league starts this season, the Frenchman has scored one goal and provided an assist. He averages close to three tackes and three interceptions per game in addition to eight duels won and a clearance.
Given the hefty fee demanded by Monaco, the operation involving the defensive midfielder will be dependant on Erling Haaland’s arrival.
If Los Blancos decide to invest their money on the Norwegian, the arrival of Tchouameni is complicated. However, it is clear that the midfield is in more urgent need for reinforcement when compared to the forward line.
Real Madrid News
U-turn? Benzema hints at Real Madrid stay during ceremony: “Reality is not the internet”
There has been a lot of talk around Karim Benzema’s situation over the course of the last week or so, with reports claiming that the Frenchman was on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it was reported that Benzema was joining Al Ittihad as part of an incredible deal worth nearly €200 million. The striker was also offered 100% of his image rights and advertising deals by the Saudi government.
Over the last day or so, it has been reported that the move is all but official at the moment, as Benzema has accepted the offer, and will soon inform Real Madrid about it.
Benzema was awarded the MARCA Leyenda awards for contribution to sports today, and speaking during it, he dropped a rather cryptic message about his future – one that says quite the opposite to what has been in the news recently.
“Speak to the fans? Speak about what? Why should I speak of the future if I’m in Madrid?”, Benzema said.
“It’s the internet speaking, and reality is not the internet,” he added.
This certainly falls away from the departure line for Benzema, who was reportedly already contemplating his life away from Madrid.
At first, though, he was hesitant about speaking about his future, saying, “Staying or leaving Real Madrid? At the moment, I’m here…we have a game on Saturday.”
He repeatedly talked about the fans, calling them the best in world football. He also said, “I know how much Real Madrid fans love me. I feel that when I’m on the pitch, I give my best for them, always.”
“I always say that we play with 11 on the pitch but also with a crucial factor, Real Madrid fans,” Benzema concluded.
