Real Madrid News
Real Madrid planning to build a ‘superteam’ around Kylian Mbappe
With less than two months left to go for the end of the 2021/22 season, we may be in for the most chaotic transfer window of all time this summer.
Several big names, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, are expected to jump ships. The latter is still unsure about his destination, but the former seems has his eyes locked on a Real Madrid move.
Mbappe will become a free agent by the end of June, and the move to Madrid seems inevitable. However, AS reports that Madrid are planning a huge transfer window, and will build a ‘superteam’ around Kylian Mbappe. He will not be the only one joining the capital outfit.
Haaland is touted as one of the players Madrid are looking at, but it seems the Norweigian has chosen Manchester City as his next club. Elsewhere, Los Blancos have reignited their interest in Antonio Rudiger, who becomes a free agent this summer.
Aurelien Tchouameni is another player that has been strongly linked with Madrid, but with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Isco, and Dani Ceballos already in the midfield arsenal, any move for the Frenchman remains tough.
Apart from new signings, Real Madrid are also looking at possible renewals in their squad, starting with Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr, and Eder Militao. While Modric is only expected to sign a one-year extension, the other two will pen down long-term deals.
There are likely to be a few departures as well, which will give Florentino Perez and co. more economic stability to pursue star-studded deals, especially in defence.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
