Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend hails blockbuster new signing: “He is a great player”
Despite losing key players such as Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio, this has been a good transfer window for Real Madrid.
The club have been able to rope in Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund. Regarded as one of the most talented young players in world football, the Englishman could become the face of the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
Real Madrid also managed to sign Arda Guler. The young Turk was close to joining Barcelona but ultimately ended up opting for a move to Santiago Bernabeu. In addition, they have also roped in Joselu and Fran Garcia, while Brahim Diaz is also back at the club.
In light of Real Madrid’s latest purchases, former superstar Luis Figo has heaped praise on the club, citing their expertise in luring young talents across Europe. The club legend reserved special praise for Bellingham.
“Real Madrid have signed a lot of young players. Bellingham is a great player. Real Madrid have a policy of signing young players with a lot of talent,” Figo said, as quoted by O Jogo.
Figo, who played for Real Madrid between 2000 to 2005, featured in over 240 competitive matches for Los Blancos. He is well aware of the club’s policy in the transfer market, especially having joined the club from arch-rivals Barcelona back in 2000.
The Portuguese footballing legend went on to discuss the possibility of Real Madrid signing a striker this summer, especially after losing Benzema to Saudi Arabia. “We’ll see if they hire a striker. I don’t know if they’re waiting for Mbappé or not,” Figo said.
Real Madrid have indeed been linked with a move for Mbappe this summer. The Frenchman had earlier confirmed his desire to stay at PSG next season and leave on a free transfer in 2024, but the French club are not on board with the idea.
Real Madrid themselves are favouring a 2024 move for Mbappe, but there is a possibility the forward might end up signing a contract extension at PSG. So it will be interesting to see how things transpire in the coming weeks.
Following Barcelona’s awe-inspiring comeback win against Celta Vigo yesterday, the pressure is on Real Madrid to regain top spot in La Liga as they travel to Civitas Metropolitano to lock horns against Atletico Madrid.
The first Madrid derby of the season will not feature Vinicius Jr, who had to pull out of the travelling squad today due to a stomach bug.
Jude Bellingham has been given the green light, though, and is likely starting as the out and out striker for this game, with Joselu benched. The Englishman is joined by Rodrygo by his side, while Luka Modric plays behind them as the attacking midfielder.
Behind this trio, Toni Kroos has been handed the keys as the pivot, with Aurelien Tchouameni benched. Eduardo Camavinga starts alongside Federico Valverde as the central midfielders.
Lucas Vazquez fills in for the injured Daniel Carvajal at right-back, while Fran Garcia comes back to take over his left-back spot from Nacho. David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger round off the quadrant in central defence, screening Kepa in goal.
Confirmed Madrid XI: Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Modric; Rodrygo, Bellingham
Samy
July 15, 2023 at 8:36 pm
I understand that PSG’s boss indicated that if Mbappe decides to extend his stay, he has to sign a new contract. Could PSG be planning to slash his salary to a level that he cannot accept and therefore be forced to agree to be sold at a premium price?