Real Madrid News
Real Madrid new signing raring to go ahead of pre-season: “I’m ready to win”
Real Madrid completed the signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund last month in a deal that cost the club €103 million with up to €30 million in bonuses. The race was hard-fought with Manchester City and Liverpool putting pressure on the Merengues throughout.
Yet, there was seldom any doubt over his next destination. Bellingham was firm-minded over his desire to don the white colours, and it was unsurprisingly his wish that dictated the direction of his transfer.
The youngster is seen as the long-term successor to Luka Modric by many. Yet, he presents a unique profile to Carlo Ancelotti in terms of delivering not only in midfield but also in front of goal.
The 20-year-old after all scored eight goals and provided four assists for his former club in last season’s Bundesliga with a strong presence in the final third. Further, he averaged 1.1 key passes per game and created eight big chances.
Los Blancos begin their preseason preparations later today at Valdebebas, with nine first-team players and several names from the Castilla prepared to join. Bellingham is one of the first-team stars prepared to join training from day one.
Speaking to MARCA before his first-ever training session for the Merengues, the English star did not hold back his excitement over starting a new chapter in his career and said,
“I’m ready to win.”
Bellingham then provided an update on the knee injury that plagued him towards the end of last season and revealed whether it would impact his training sessions beginning on Monday.
“I’m ready to play, the knee is in perfect condition.”
Finally, the midfielder took a moment to show his excitement over playing for the Real Madrid faithful and stepping onto the grasses at Santiago Bernabeu.
“I’m looking forward to playing at the Bernabéu for all Real Madrid fans.”
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
