Real Madrid News
Real Madrid manager facing some selection dilemmas ahead of Granada clash
The recent successes of Real Madrid in La Liga as well as the Champions League pay a testament to the club’s high level of quality this season; but manage to look even more impressive considering Carlo Ancelotti has been shorthanded with an influx of injuries.
Despite crucial absences, the Merengues have not let injury-related setbacks hamper their ambitions for the season.
Still, it is clear Real Madrid are walking on a tightrope with such a thin squad amid all these injuries, and thus minimizing the risk of any more unexpected misfortunes will be key.
Ancelotti faces a dilemma
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, the Italian coach is facing a predicament: he can either utilize his starters in the next game or chart a pragmatic course and rest them to prevent any physical problems.
Ancelotti is tossing up whether to rest some players or keep “squeezing” them in because they do not have a midweek game the following week due to cup commitments.
The players in question are Antonio Rudiger, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo. They have all been crucial to Ancleotti’s team this season.
But they have also played a significant number of minutes over the past month due to their respective teams’ needs.
The likes of Valverde and Rodrygo currently maintain an indispensable role in the team, especially following their recent performances.
After Luka Modric’s injury, who is doubtful to play Granada, Valverde’s presence will be all the more vital.
Furthermore, Rodrygo has played exceptionally well in his last two encounters, despite worries about his knee injury.
As such, his demotion to the bench would not be a wise move in his current form, especially with Jude Bellingham’s involvement also in doubt.
Time will tell how Ancelotti approaches the next few games. With the threat of injuries always looming large, he will potentially be compelled to make some sacrifices to the XI.
According to TeamTalk, Real Madrid have joined the growing list of clubs monitoring Gabriel Rajkovic, a 15-year-old winger whose rapid development at Valerenga has already attracted attention from several of Europe’s leading sides.
The Merengues are known for keeping an eye on exciting young talent across the globe and it seems that Rajkovic’s exploits in Norway, with the first team, have alerted them.
Real Madrid keeping tabs on Rajkovic
As per the report, Real Madrid are among a host of clubs closely following the progress of the young forward.
Rajkovic holds both Norwegian and Serbian nationality and has emerged as one of the most promising young players in Norway.
His development has not gone unnoticed, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also understood to be monitoring him.
However, at this point, it is Arsenal and Chelsea, who are understood to be leading the charge for Rajkovic, having compiled a detailed dossier on the teenage prodigy after extensive scouting.
On top of that, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all watched Rajkovic in recent weeks.
Real Madrid could therefore face significant competition if they decide to step up their interest in a player who has already made an impression at senior level.
Making an impact at just 15
Rajkovic was handed a promotion to the Valerenga first-team squad in January earlier this year, when he was only 14 years old.
Following that, he signed a new contract with the club in March, when he turned 15, committing to the club until 2028.
Despite being only 15, the winger has already begun gaining experience in first-team football. In all, he has made 14 senior appearances for the Norwegian outfit, scoring three and assisting one goal.
Rajkovic has also represented Norway Under-16s, making two appearances and scoring once despite being younger than many of his teammates.
Those numbers become more impressive when his age and stage of development are taken into account.
Real Madrid have built a reputation for identifying young talent well before players reach their peak, and Rajkovic has now emerged as another name on their scouting radar.
But given the number of clubs in the race, signing the teenage wonderkid will not be easy.
