Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not surprised or angry at Mbappe’s decision to stay at PSG – report
Real Madrid’s wait for Kylian Mbappe is set to continue for another year. Los Blancos have spent a lot of energy and effort hoping to sign the French star, but it was not meant to be this summer.
The youngster was initially dropped from Paris Saint-Germain’s pre-season squad that travelled to Asia, and a departure seemed to be the only option on Mbappe’s table.
In a surprising turn of events earlier this week, he was reinstated into the first team dynamics after ‘promising talks’ with Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
According to reports from L’Equipe, Real Madrid are not surprised, nor angry at Mbappe’s decision to stay at PSG next season. After all, it is not the first time they have found themselves in such a situation.
What will happen next summer?
If reports from yesterday are to be believed, Mbappe’s recent meeting with the Parisien administration had nothing to do with renewal.
In fact, his re-introduction into the first team dynamics is not because he has promised to extend with the French club.
Mbappe still has no intention of staying in France beyond 2024 and wishes to sign for Real Madrid as a free agent next summer.
Instead of committing his future to the club, he has given up the economic bonuses he was supposed to earn in order to return to Luis Enrique’s dynamics.
PSG hope that the new manager’s project convinces Mbappe to renew during the season. Even if he does not, they will not suffer as significant a financial blow for they will now save the bonuses they had reserved for the superstar.
Ancelotti has to hang on for a season
With the chances of Mbappe’s arrival this summer nearing zero, it is certain that Carlo Ancelotti will have no further reinforcements in attack.
The manager must thus compensate for Karim Benzema’s departure with limited options in Joselu, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes. Moreover, the situation also increases the pressure on the newly arrived Jude Bellingham’s shoulders.
Real Madrid have started the 2023/24 campaign on a strong note, winning six in six across all competitions.
What makes the streak even more impressive is that they have had to do so without a number of key players present.
Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr are still out on the sidelines while Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy have only recently returned from injury.
But, earlier this week, Dani Carvajal became the latest victim of the injury course as he sustained a muscle issue that ruled him out of the match against Union Berlin last night.
Carvajal will undergo MRI tomorrow
Carvajal had been in fine form prior to his injury earlier this week and his absence is certainly a blow.
With a game against Atletico Madrid coming up later this weekend, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic is reporting that the 31-year-old will undergo his MRI scans tomorrow morning.
It should present a clearer picture of the extent of the veteran right-back’s injury following which a potential date for his return could be determined.
Prior to the Union Berlin match, manager Carlo Ancelotti sounded optimistic about Carvajal’s condition, as he said:
“Carvajal has an overload, we prefer not to take any risks. It’s nothing serious, he’ll undergo tests tomorrow and we hope he recovers soon. Carvajal can make it to the derby. The feelings are good.”
But tomorrow’s scans should provide a better picture of how his condition is and when he can make a comeback.
Lucas Vazquez: an able deputy
With Dani Carvajal unavailable, Carlo Ancelotti turned to Lucas Vazquez for the right-back position and the veteran Spaniard did not disappoint last night.
Indeed, the 32-year-old was a regular outlet going forward down the right flank and made six key passes against Union Berlin.
And Ancelotti will count on him again in the derby versus Atleti if Carvajal’s recovery will take longer.
