Real Madrid News
Real Madrid out-of-favour star may get a surprise opportunity vs Villarreal – report
Real Madrid have already had a dodgy time with the international break so far, with Ibrahima Konate having to return to Madrid after picking up a knock, while Kylian Mbappe picked up an injury.
Fortunately for Real Madrid, their injuries do not seem serious enough, with Konate, for one, expected to be available for the Villarreal game when the season resumes.
Given the limited options in defence, though, Jose Mourinho would be wary of taking risks with Konate’s fitness, knowing that Eder Militao is also currently unavailable due to injury.
A potential opportunity for Raul Asencio?
According to AS, Raul Asencio could emerge as an unlikely winner during the international break and due to Real Madrid’s lack of depth in defence.
In fact, the fringe defender could be poised for some game time against Villarreal, especially if Mourinho doesn’t risk playing Konate.
And should Konate not play, Mourinho has no other alternatives as Dean Huijsen has been handed a one-match suspension following his red card against Atletico Madrid.
That leaves Asencio as the only available centre-back option, who can feature alongside Antonio Rudiger at the heart of Mourinho’s four-man backline.
The Canary Islander has already been named in three matchday squads this season but is yet to feature, so the Villarreal clash could finally hand him his first minutes of the campaign.
A great chance for Asencio
With everyone fully fit, Asencio is understood to be Mourinho’s fifth-choice centre-back, behind Konate, Rudiger, Huijsen and Militao.
That pecking order explains why he found himself on the fringes heading into the season, particularly following the summer arrival of Konate to bolster an area Real Madrid had already strengthened with Huijsen.
However, circumstances may now conspire to hand Asencio a rare opportunity. Mourinho has previously praised the defender’s work ethic in training, and a run of injuries and suspensions could open the door for him to stake a claim.
For Asencio, it represents a golden chance to change the manager’s opinion and prove he can be a reliable option when called upon.
Whether that opportunity arrives against Villarreal on October 10 remains to be seen, but with Real Madrid’s defensive resources stretched, everything suggests the Canary Islander may finally get his moment.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid academy strategy pays off with €210m windfall and 34 Spain internationals – report
Real Madrid’s academy has been a huge success story in recent seasons, even if not many players have found a place in the first team.
Los Blancos have used Castilla as one of the main sources of revenue to fund their first team, and the value of the academy has continued to increase.
According to AS, Madrid generated €210 million from academy-related player operations during the summer.
Meanwhile, 34 players developed at the club have represented Spain across the different men’s national-team age groups during the current international period.
Valdebebas producing players at every level
That international presence stretches from the senior Spain squad, featuring academy products Ivan Fresneda, Victor Munoz and Fran Garcia, all the way down to the Under-16s.
The results at academy level have also been impressive, with Madrid securing the league, Champions Cup, Youth League and Intercontinental Cup.
Behind those results is a structure involving around 300 players, 50 coaches and 40 scouts, with academy director Manuel Fernandez overseeing the project.
The objective is not simply to build youth teams capable of winning trophies. Madrid want players with genuine elite potential.
Some, such as Raul Asencio and Thiago Pitarch, can eventually help the first team. Others can develop into valuable assets sought by clubs across Europe’s top leagues.
€210 million demonstrates the financial value
The financial pathway has become increasingly important.
Madrid’s €210 million return was driven by several major operations, including €60 million from Como for Nico Paz and €40 million from Fulham for Gonzalo Garcia.
Victor Munoz, Mario Gila, Alvaro Rodriguez, Alex Jimenez, Palacios and Jacobo were among the other academy products whose moves exceeded €10 million.
Crucially, most of that €210 million came from footballers who never held a permanent first-team squad place.
La Fabrica does not need every player to become a starter
The strongest argument for Madrid’s model is that an academy cannot realistically produce a first-team starter every season when the senior squad is already at such a high level.
Judging La Fabrica only by how many youngsters establish themselves at the Bernabeu therefore misses much of its value.
Madrid are creating several successful outcomes instead: first-team players, internationals and valuable footballers who generate significant transfer income.
Thirty-four Spain representatives and €210 million in one summer tell you that the proof is in the pudding.
Madrid will hope their academy can continue to be as productive in the coming years, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
