Real Madrid News
Real Madrid could turn to €8 million deal for former youngster to address defensive woes
After much deliberation and deduction, Carlo Ancelotti narrowed down Real Madrid’s primary area of concern this season to be the team’s defence.
The retrospective revelation brought to light the struggles the club have faced at the back from day one, for the situation in defence has not been helped by regular injuries and untimely departures.
Nacho Fernandez’s departure and David Alaba’s slow recovery progress have left the manager with just two central defenders to work with. Dani Carvajal’s injury only rubbed salt into the team’s wounds.
A homegrown option
While indeed Real Madrid have found several names in the academy who can step up and fill the defensive void, the manager has not shown any signs of trust in them.
Now, as revealed by MARCA, the club are looking towards the winter transfer window to make a stop-gap signing to improve the depth in defence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jonathan Tah are the dream signings, but Miguel Gutierrez presents a more practical option.
The Spanish outlet reveals that Real Madrid have an option to bring the player back to the team for just €8 million. That number will move up to €9 million and €10 million respectively in the next two seasons.
Needless to say, it is an affordable price to solve the crisis that has been plaguing the team all season.
The only case in which they will have to shell out more is if Girona receives a better offer from another club which meets the player’s expectations as well, in which case Los Blancos must meet that fee. Having 50% of his rights, however, that would make no sense.
The big question, however, is how the arrival of the left-back will improve Real Madrid’s situation when the shortage of resources lies at centre-back and right-back.
The idea, however, is that Gutierrez’s arrival will free Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia and enable them to play at centre-back or right-back if needed.
It remains to be seen if Florentino Perez and Co. pursue his signing in January, especially given the club’s rigid stance against winter arrivals.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
Al
November 7, 2024 at 9:56 am
Finally Real make a good and sane call. Throw away your ego especially in growing your Castillas and it’s free. Give them chances. Follow like Barca footstep. Galacticos project not really a guaranteed success. Look at current situation.