Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender did not take part in group training with national team – report
As Qatar gears up to host the 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup in less than a week, participating teams have already arrived in the host nation and have begun their training sessions.
Though they may not be favourites to lift the title this time around, Germany still boast one of the best squads in the world and have begun their preparation.
But according to reports from Kerry Hau, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger did not train with the German team today and worked individually. The player is still not back to complete fitness, but Hansi Flick has shown optimism over a possible return to training on Saturday for Rudiger.
The centre-back missed Real Madrid’s final three games ahead of the international break owing to discomfort in his hip that was initially diagnosed as an overload. While he stayed on the bench against Celtic, Rudiger did not make the squad for the subsequent two matches.
The summer signing would have expected more minutes moving to Real Madrid but has managed only seven La Liga starts for Los Blancos. In that duration, he scored one goal and averaged close to four defensive contributions per game.
The 29-year-old is expected to play a key role in the German national team’s campaign at the World Cup beginning next week as a regular starter in defence.
Their first game in Qatar is against Japan in just over a week’s time, and Flick will hope to have his man ready in time for the curtain-raiser.
Given that they are placed in Group E along with Luis Enrique’s Spain, it will be an uphill battle for the winners of the 2014 edition to finish on top of their group.
Arda Guler’s Real Madrid stint has not gotten off to the start he would have hoped to have given the expectation that preceded the transfer.
Having joined in the summer after Real Madrid outbid their competition to win him over from Fenerbahce for a 20-million-euro fee, buzz was high as the winger was expected to slot into the team quite seamlessly, albeit on a rotational basis.
Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he has been constantly marred by injuries since completing the move.
Reports have stated that after Guler picked up his third injury since his move, Real Madrid have been concerned and want to take things slow with the player to ensure he is fit as soon as possible after an injury to his quadriceps this time.
The Turk is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, and Real Madrid even sacked their medical chief in November, in light of their injury crises since the beginning of the season.
No loan deal for Guler
However, according to Fabrizio Romano in a recent YouTube video, he states that Madrid maintain full trust and patience in the youngster.
Despite his bad luck with injuries, the latest of which he is scheduled to return from after Christmas, the Galacticos have no intention of loaning out Guler to Turkish clubs despite lots of speculation of them doing so of late.
Romano states that Madrid remain firm on not shaking things up too much with the squad, and they want to keep their roster stable, including Arda Guler.
They want to extend their full support and protection to the player as he aims to return to full fitness and finally make his bow for Madrid either by the end of this month or in 2024.
