Real Madrid News
Real Madrid injury nightmare continues as worrying early-season trend refuses to disappear
Real Madrid hoped Jose Mourinho’s return would help bring an end to the injury problems that have repeatedly disrupted the squad.
Two months into the new season, however, there has been virtually no improvement, as the numbers suggest.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Madrid have already suffered nine injuries this season, exactly the same number they had recorded at this stage of the previous campaign.
Six Real Madrid players currently sidelined
Mourinho currently has six players in the treatment room: Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde, Ibrahima Konate, Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy.
Rodrygo and Mendy are long-term absentees, while Madrid must monitor Mbappe, Valverde and Konate to determine whether they can return against Villarreal.
It continues an extraordinary sequence for a club that suffered 60 separate injuries last season.
Only Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo Garcia, Brahim Diaz and Fran Garcia avoided injury throughout that campaign.
While they may not be the only reason, the physical problems became one of the major explanations for why Madrid finished the season without silverware.
Mourinho’s changes have not solved the problem yet
Madrid did not ignore the issue during the summer.
Mourinho arrived with Sandro Carrico from Benfica to oversee the club’s Sports Sciences department, with injury prevention and managing the physical impact of accumulated workloads among his areas of responsibility.
Yet the early numbers underline why there was never going to be an instant solution. Nine injuries by this point in consecutive seasons suggest the problem is more deep-rooted.
Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa were all affected before Mourinho encountered the same problem.
Madrid need the international break to help
There is some encouragement around Militao, who has already been working alongside the group at Valdebebas.
However, Madrid’s concern goes beyond simply getting through the Villarreal match. Mourinho needs availability to build his project.
Losing Mbappe, Valverde and Konate together would hurt almost any side, regardless of its depth.
There is no quick fix to fitness issues, and Madrid need to get greater depth on exactly why these injury problems keep cropping up.
It remains to be seen how Mourinho goes about managing the absences and whether the injury record improves over the course of the campaign.
Real Madrid News
Chelsea, Liverpool ready to move for Real Madrid midfield target in January – report
Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Alex Scott’s situation. The AFC Bournemouth midfielder has been impressing in the Premier League and recently made his debut for the England national team.
Given their need for a midfield reinforcement, Real Madrid are tracking the youngster as the Spanish giants believe he could provide a different profile to complement their existing options.
Chelsea, Liverpool ready to move in January
According to TEAMtalk (h/t Bernabeu Digital), Real Madrid intend to continue monitoring Scott throughout the season before deciding whether to make a move in next summer’s transfer window.
However, they could face competition from the Premier League, with Liverpool and Chelsea also tracking the 23-year-old.
Both Premier League clubs are preparing substantial offers for Scott ahead of the January transfer window.
Bournemouth have placed an €80 million valuation on the midfielder, although the club have no intention of selling him in January and would prefer to consider a departure next summer.
The Cherries are already looking at potential replacements and have identified Fer Lopez as a long-term successor.
Real Madrid prepared to wait until the summer
Real Madrid are already planning their recruitment strategy for next summer, monitoring several players before deciding which targets to pursue when the transfer window opens.
For now, the Merengues are not expected to make a move for Scott in January. Instead, they intend to continue assessing his performances and availability over the coming months.
If the Bournemouth midfielder becomes available from June onwards, the Spanish capital giants will then decide whether to make a formal approach.
Their preference to wait could leave the door open for Liverpool and Chelsea to move first, particularly if either club are prepared to meet Bournemouth’s valuation during the winter window.
In the meantime, Jose Mourinho & co. are also keeping an eye on other options to strengthen their midfield. In fact, recent reports suggest that an enquiry has been made for Napoli star Scott McTominay.
The Scotsman contract with the Serie A side expires in 2028 and with his club not offering a renewal so far, he could emerge as a serious option.
