Real Madrid News
Real Madrid closely monitoring 19-year-old Portuguese centre-back – report
According to reports from Record Portugal, Real Madrid are closely monitoring the situation of 19-year-old Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva. The Merengues have sent their scouts to watch him as they see him as a possible signing for the summer.
Los Blancos may boast of some of the biggest names in central defence, but very few of them can be counted upon in the long run.
David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger are not getting any younger. The same case can be made about Nacho Fernandez who is not only approaching the twilight of his career but also contemplating an exit in the summer.
Thus, the only reliable long-term defensive asset with the club is Eder Militao.
Come June, Real Madrid will thus set out on a mission to find another player to bolster the department. Be it as a regular starter or a strong backup, Silva promises to be a strong contender.
The youngster primarily plays as a right centre-back and has been a regular starter for Benfica under Roger Schmidt.
He has made 19 starts for the Portuguese club in Liga Portugal this season, scoring two goals and overseeing ten clean sheets. He averages a staggering 1.3 tackles, two interceptions and 3.5 clearances per game in addition to four duels won per game.
Silva’s contract with Benfica runs until the summer of 2027, this favouring the Portuguese party on the negotiations front. Real Madrid may be forced to pay a fortune if they wish for his services but can be assured of a high-ceiling player for at least the next decade in the process.
Needless to say, the Merengues do have other players as options on their roster including Josko Gvardiol and the young players coming up from the youth ranks, such as Rafa Marin, who is showing great promise.
Real Madrid News
Ancelotti could renew contract with Real Madrid if he wins the Champions League – report
The continuity of Carlo Ancelotti hinges on several factors and journalist Mario Cortegana, while writing for The Athletic, has confirmed that if Real Madrid do not sack him at the end of the season, the Italian will continue to serve the team at least until his current contract, which runs until 2024.
Furthermore, the report also states that Ancelotti could even be handed a contract extension if he leads the team to the UEFA Champions League triumph once again.
It is more than evident that Ancelotti’s Real Madrid future is far from certain. Ever since the managerial role at the Brazilian national team opened up, the 63-year-old is being pursued by the South American team.
Cortegana writes that even though Ancelotti is quite happy at Real Madrid, there remains a possibility that he will, indeed, accept the Brazil role if he were to leave the Spanish capital city as he sees this job as an appealing end to his managerial career.
At Real Madrid, he knows that he will have to keep winning trophies and this season, the La Liga honour is more or less lost. But with the possibility of winning the UEFA Champions League still open, Cortegana has reported that if the Italian does, in fact, succeed at winning the European crown, he might end up renewing his deal with the team.
At the moment, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) is trying to keep a respectful distance, but there is absolutely no denying the fact that they have made him their absolute priority.
“Ancelotti is not only the players’ favourite but it seems the fans’ too,” said CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues about Ancelotti.
“Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about. They talk about him in a very affectionate way, in recognition of the exemplary work he has done in his career,” he added.
Ancelotti is aware that Brazil want him and Brazil know Ancelotti is ready to join, but everything hinges on what happens with Real Madrid this season.
If they end up winning the Champions League or even if Madrid decided to stick with him until his contract expires [2024], Brazil will be forced to look for alternatives. If not, one can expect the Italian to be the new head coach of the Seleçao.
