Real Madrid News
Real Madrid locker room heavyweights want club to sell midfield mainstay amid rising tension – report
The growing instability inside Real Madrid has created another major problem for the club, and this time it involves one of the team’s captains.
According to a recent revelation from Ramon Alvarez de Mon, several influential figures inside the Real Madrid dressing room are now asking the club to seriously consider selling Federico Valverde this summer.
The situation is viewed as extremely sensitive, given Valverde’s importance to the club over the years and the respect he has built at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, recent events appear to have significantly damaged his standing within parts of the dressing room.
Recent fallout continues to shake the club
Valverde has found himself at the centre of controversy following his falling out with Aurelien Tchouameni, an incident that continues to cast a shadow over the final weeks of the season.
The tension between the two players escalated to the point where Valverde was unavailable for the recent El Clasico defeat against Barcelona.
What initially appeared to be a private internal issue has now become a much bigger concern inside the squad.
According to the report, the situation has left such a strong impression on certain senior figures within the dressing room that some are now open to the idea of Valverde leaving the club altogether.
Enduring most difficult period
The last few weeks have become one of the hardest moments of Valverde’s professional career.
The midfielder is currently sidelined for between 10 and 14 days after suffering a head injury, meaning he will watch the final stretch of Real Madrid’s season from the sidelines.
As such, there is said to be significant regret on the player’s side regarding the entire situation, but what makes the situation even more surprising is Valverde’s status within the squad.
The Uruguayan has been one of the club captains this season and has long been viewed as one of the leaders of Real Madrid’s current generation.
Now, however, questions are beginning to emerge about his long-term future at the club.
With Florentino Perez already preparing major structural changes after a disappointing campaign, Valverde’s situation could become one of the most delicate issues the club must manage this summer.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
