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.
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
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?