Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder likely to rejoin group training this week – report
It has been a difficult start to the new season for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos.
The Spanish international could have left the club at the end of the previous season when his contract was expiring but opted to pen an extension and continue at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The renewals of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, coupled with Jude Bellingham’s arrival meant that he would have a big fight on his hands for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup.
Ceballos unfortunate with injury
Despite that, Ceballos signed a new contract, but a month into the new season, he is yet to play a single minute.
An injury very early in pre-season meant that the former Real Betis missed the USA tour and is still continuing his recovery.
Ceballos has resumed individual training in recent weeks and as per a report from Sergio Quirante, the 27-year-old is expected to resume group training sessions this week.
With the international break underway, the handful of Real Madrid players not away on national team duty have been training at the Valdebebas since yesterday.
And, Ceballos has been continuing with his individual programme whereas Ferland Mendy has resumed group training.
As per the report, though, the idea is for Ceballos to start training with the rest of the group this week itself.
Return against Real Sociedad?
It should put Ceballos in the frame for a return soon after the international break when Real Madrid take on Real Sociedad.
While the midfielder could be ready in time for the match fitness-wise, whether he actually plays or not remains to be seen.
Ancelotti has found a settled midfield unit in Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Jude Bellingham.
On top of that, veterans Kroos and Modric showed in recent matches they can still be vital to the team. With such competition for places, whether Ceballos receives any meaningful minutes remains to be seen.
Aurelien Tchouameni has had an exciting start to his career at Real Madrid. Since joining the club for almost €80 million last summer, the young Frenchman has now become a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield unit.
However, prior to his move to Santiago Bernabeu, the midfielder was closely linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
In a recent interview, Tchouameni opened up on his links to PSG but revealed his decision to join Real Madrid.
Aurelien Tchouameni on PSG links
Talking about speculations linking him to PSG, Tchouameni said (h/t Madrid Zone), “PSG? Frankly, I thought about it. It’s a very big European club, we want the French clubs to succeed.”
“But honestly, when Real Madrid calls you, it’s very complicated to say no,” Tchouameni added.
The midfielder was linked with a move to PSG during his time at AS Monaco. Les Parisiens wanted to sign the youngster as part of their plans to reinforce the midfield unit.
Tchouameni, though, ended up opting for a move to Real Madrid, which turned out to be a prudent decision from the midfielder’s end.
Tchouameni’s career at Real Madrid
Aurelien Tchouameni made a total of 50 competitive appearances during his maiden season at Real Madrid.
Although the Frenchman was not entirely a first-team regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s setup, his stature in the team is expected to grow in the coming years.
Especially as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric move on at the end of the season, there is scope for Tchouameni to become a first-team regular in the Real Madrid midfield in the years to come.
The former AS Monaco starlet has already played a crucial role in the starting eleven so far this season and it is only going to continue as the season progresses.
