Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend makes controversial claim about Benzema: “Can’t let your club down”
Following Real Madrid’s 3-2 defeat to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Monday night, club legend Guti has hit out at Karim Benzema, claiming that the Frenchman is letting the team down by prioritising the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Real Madrid’s loss to Rayo meant that they have won just one of their last four fixtures in all competitions, while they have now fallen two points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race. The gap could widen to five points if Barça beat CA Osasuna later tonight.
The recent results have allowed the Blaugrana to gain an advantage in the battle for the league crown. And it has coincided with Benzema’s absence from matches due to ‘muscle fatigue’.
The 34-year-old Ballon d’Or winner has missed each of Real Madrid’s last three La Liga matches, two of which they have failed to win.
There have been doubts that Benzema’s absence has more to do with him avoiding risking a serious injury ahead of the FIFA World Cup even though Carlo Ancelotti has been denying any such notions.
However, club legend Guti has now lashed out at the French international claiming that he is letting the team down, citing names like Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski as examples who continue to play for their clubs despite the World Cup looming.
“I don’t understand him. Messi is playing with PSG, Lewandowski is playing with Barcelona and so many other players. You have to accept the risk of injuries before the World Cup, you can’t let your club down,” Guti said on El Chiringuito TV.
The former Real Madrid superstar also questioned the team’s decision not to sign a replacement for the veteran centre-forward, saying: “We all knew this could happen, I don’t understand how Madrid doesn’t have a replacement.”
Despite the lack of a natural striker to cover for Benzema, Ancelotti has remained adamant that Real Madrid will not enter the market for a new player in the position in the January transfer window.
Rodrygo Goes has done well when deployed as a No. 9, but with their title defence showing signs of falling apart, it would bode well for Los Blancos to look for a new striker come the winter window.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
Elisha
November 8, 2022 at 11:18 am
The coach should know that you can’t manage real madrid like other clubs that you can be there for 25 years and over….this is real madrid…we needed replacement for benz…he made it clear that his squad is good to go. I really don’t understand the coach…maybe his last time is at end of the season…hala madrid ✌ ✌ ✌