Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have three right-backs on their radar for the summer
Despite booking their place in the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid are already planning ahead for the future, in what could be a busy summer ahead.
While the club’s reported pursuit of Kylian Mbappe has been well documented, it appears Los Merengues are also aiming to address other glaring issues in the team, with the right-back department emerging as a priority.
Indeed, Real Madrid are keen on adding some much-needed competition for Dani Carvajal, whose inconsistent performances have been questioned in recent weeks.
According to a recent report from Fichajes, Real Madrid have identified three potential options at right-back in an attempt to beef up the options in the wide defensive role next season.
The club’s primary target is Dodo, who is currently plying his trade at Shakhtar Donetsk. Formerly of Coritiba FC, the Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in Ukraine and has been effective with his ability to provide width going forward.
The 23-year-old has racked up an impressive 17 assists for Shakhtar in less than 100 competitive appearances. He is also a former Brazil youth international, potentially making him a smart long-term investment for Real Madrid.
Dodo is not the only option, however, as Perez is also keeping an eye on Alvaro Odriozola. The former Real Sociedad starlet never had the best of times at the Bernabeu or even during his loan spell at Bayern.
But the Real Madrid camp are aware of his swift revival at Fiorentina, having established himself as a first-team regular for La Viola, with a total of 22 league appearances so far.
Odrizola has racked up consistent performances in Serie A, which is welcome news for Real Madrid, who can possibly offload him for a higher value in the summer. But it appears the club’s hierarchy would ideally keep hold of his services and grant him his former role of being a competitor to Carvajal at right-back.
The final option Real Madrid are looking at is Sergio Santos. The 21-year-old is currently registered to RM Castilla and has been one of the best performers for the youth team this season.
Santos had notably made his La Liga debut earlier in the season, featuring as a late substitute in the win over RCD Mallorca. Real Madrid are hoping to grant him a promotion to the senior side next season, effectively giving him the opportunity to compete with Carvajal for a place in the first-team.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
