Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfield starlet leaning towards Italy move even as Fulham circle
This summer has seen many young Real Madrid starlets leave the club in search of regular minutes, with the pathway to the first team almost non-existent.
Both Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios left Los Blancos to join former manager Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham.
The duo have already become starters for the Cottagers and played against Chelsea last night, with Gonzalo getting one of Fulham’s goals.
Now, according to The Athletic, Jorge Cestero could be one of the next young Madrid players to leave in search of regular minutes.
The 20-year-old, who is also wanted by Lille in Ligue 1, is considering a move to Italy.
Italy emerges as a serious option
Madrid have been looking for a solution for Cestero for some time, despite the academy graduate impressing Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
Cestero is weighing up several possibilities for the next stage of his development, and Italy has emerged as an attractive destination.
The midfielder is understood to be open to continuing his career there, although no transfer has been finalised.
For Madrid, the priority is likely to be finding a club that gives Cestero consistent minutes rather than leaving him stuck between Castilla and a crowded first team.
Fulham also in the picture
Fulham are another option.
The Premier League club could look to reunite Cestero with Arbeloa, and the familiar connection could help him settle in.
Arbeloa knows the Madrid academy very well and would understand exactly how to bring the best out of Cestero.
However, so far, the 20-year-old continues to lean towards a move to Italy.
Mourinho impressed by Cestero
The interesting part of the situation is that Cestero is not being sold because his performances have not been up to the mark.
However, Jose Mourinho is said to have been impressed by him during pre-season and sees a lot of potential in him.
Thus, Madrid want to do what they have done with many other young academy starlets, selling them and keeping control over their future.
The opportunity to get some regular minutes could massively aid Cestero’s development, and it remains to be seen where he moves in this coming week.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid dressing room heavyweight raises concern over Vinicius: “We have to make him happy again”
One of the major sagas of the summer transfer window was the contract renewal involving Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid and Vinicius had been in talks over a new deal for a significant period, and there were stages when it felt like an agreement might not be reached.
However, in the end, the film had a happy ending, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the club.
Despite the new deal, there are some concerns over Vinicius that have now reached the dressing room.
As quoted by Diario AS, an unnamed dressing-room heavyweight approached Mourinho after the game and expressed worry about the treatment Vinicius is receiving from a section of the Bernabeu crowd.
“Worried about Vini
The concern came after Vinicius was heavily whistled when he was substituted late in the Inter match, despite producing one of his stronger collective performances of the season.
“Boss, I am worried about Vini,” the senior player told Mourinho.
“After everything he has done for Madrid over the years, the way part of the fans have treated him is not normal. We have to make him happy again.”
This is no longer only about outside criticism or Mourinho publicly defending one of his forwards. The dressing room itself has recognised that Vinicius may need support.
Mourinho still sees Vinicius as untouchable
Despite how the crowd have been treating the 26-year-old, within the club, there is no doubt about what Vinicius brings to the table.
Mourinho sees him as one of the first names on the team sheet and an untouchable player in his plans for the club.
To his credit, the Brazilian has shown far greater defensive commitment and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of his team.
This has undoubtedly led Mourinho to appreciate the effort, and the manager is determined to help Vinicius return to his best level.
Madrid need to protect one of their key players
That approach makes sense.
Vinicius has spent years carrying enormous attacking responsibility at Madrid. A difficult spell should not suddenly erase what he has already shown he can provide.
If Mourinho, the president and the dressing room are all united behind Vinicius, that support could be decisive.
It is high time the Bernabeu crowd also got behind their talisman and gave him the support he deserves.
The Brazilian will also have to become more consistent with his performances, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho addresses this situation.
