Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder on his way to ‘becoming the best’ claims ex-Premier League star
Speaking on BT Sport (h/t Daily Mail), former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham United winger Joe Cole has claimed that Federico Valverde is on his way to becoming the best midfielder in the world.
Valverde is enjoying a sensational start to the 2022/23 season and has emerged as one of the most important players in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The 24-year-old has always brought energy and tenacity to the field but has added the element of goals to his game this season and has been making valuable contributions in the final third of the pitch.
Valverde was once again on target on Wednesday as Real Madrid thrashed Celtic 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League. The Uruguayan international was named the man of the match for his all-round showing on the night.
And Joe Cole has claimed that Valverde is certainly on the way to the top, having had time to learn from the best of the best like Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos over the past years, while also comparing him with Real Madrid target Jude Bellingham.
“He’s standing right at the top of the tree with Bellingham in the young players, and he’s on the verge of becoming the best,” Cole said.
“He’s found it tough getting into Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric, they’ve been incredible. He’s had to wait, bide his time and learn from the greats, take a little bit from everyone’s game.”
Highlighting what Valverde brings to the table, Cole added: “He’s box-to-box, he scores goals, he’s a technician he was the unsung hero in the final, I thought he was outstanding against Liverpool.
“He drove that team forward, he’s a powerful boy, took his goal lovely, and he’s one that I earmarked about two years ago.”
“His stats this year are unbelievable, his goals, assists, goal involvements, incredible player and we talk a lot about Bellingham in this country, but this kid is every bit as good as Bellingham,” the former Premier League and England star further added.
Valverde has been truly remarkable in the ongoing campaign, be it as a central midfielder or in an unnatural right-wing position. The 24-year-old has already scored eight goals and set up four more in 18 matches in all competitions and more of the same will be expected from him.
Real Madrid News
Atletico striker hoping Bellingham has an off day during derby: “He is at a great level”
Speaking to DAZN (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata admitted that Real Madrid midfield superstar Jude Bellingham is performing at a great level.
Real Madrid take on Atletico in La Liga on Sunday in the Madrid derby at the Civitas Metropolitano and without a doubt, Bellingham will pose a huge threat for the Rojiblancos.
Alvaro Morata hopes Bellingham as a quiet outing
Ahead of the blockbuster encounter on Sunday, Morata, who is Atletico’s main striker, admitted that Bellingham has great quality.
“I saw him last year in a few games, the truth is that he caught my attention. I saw him in his team and in his national team, and talking to people who had played with him, teammates he has, you could already see that he was a great player,” he said.
However, the former Real Madrid striker added that he hoped that the England international has an off day during the derby.
“The truth is that he is at a great level, we can only hope that he doesn’t do well and that we also have very good players to counteract that. We hope he doesn’t have a good day on Sunday,” Morata stated.
Bellingham fit and ready to go
Bellingham has been the in-form player for Real Madrid this season with six goals and an assist in six matches across all competitions.
So, naturally, there were concerns when he did not complete the training sessions on Friday due to stomach issues.
But, the 20-year-old returned to training today and Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he will play against Atleti tomorrow, with the Englishman named in the squad list as well.
