Real Madrid News
Real Madrid goalkeeper may leave the club in the summer – Fabrizio Romano
As Real Madrid gear up for the arrival of Xabi Alonso as the new head coach, there could be many changes that could take place in the first-team.
Indeed, a slew of first-team stars could find themselves in the chopping block while others may leave simply to earn more game-time elsewhere.
One of them could be Andriy Lunin, the club’s second-choice goalkeeper who was close to leaving Santiago Bernabeu last summer as well.
Lunin may leave in the summer
According to Fabrizio Romano, there is a possibility Lunin may leave Real Madrid in the coming summer.
The Ukrainian might consider leaving especially if he receives a good proposal elsewhere.
It was reported earlier in the month that the Ukrainian had drawn interest from at least three European clubs ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
Although Lunin has historically been quite happy playing for Real Madrid, his status as a backup for Thibaut Courtois is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Courtois’ injury woes has helped Lunin gain more game-time, but with the Belgian now back in his groove, Lunin’s role in the team may dwindle further.
Real Madrid, for their part, consider Lunin as an important component in the team. However, they still consider him as a second-choice goalkeeper and will continue to do so going forward.
Keeping that in mind, it won’t be surprising to see Lunin considering an exit in the coming summer as he looks to take the next step in his career.
Lunin’s exit could force Real Madrid to hunt for a replacement in the market. This time around, the Spanish giants could look for an older alternative, who won’t have any qualms about playing second fiddle to Courtois in the years to come.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
