Real Madrid News
Real Madrid ready to offer €50 million to sign Bayern Munich speedster in 2024 – report
Ferland Mendy’s repeated injuries have left Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti stranded for too long. The French left-back is the only natural player in his position and only David Alaba can argue to be a direct replacement. However, the Austrian is on a struggle with fitness himself.
With the sheer understaffing at left-back, Real Madrid’s manager has been forced to play Eduardo Camavinga or Nacho Fernandez in Mendy’s place. Not only is this a waste of the aforementioned players’ abilities but a direct compromise in the attacking output from the full-back position.
The problem extends far deeper, as many in the administration are not convinced even with Mendy’s contributions in the final third. Florentino Perez contemplates selling the player in the summer if an offer worth over €40 million arrives. There is, thus, an urgent need for a quality left-back.
According to reports from Tomas Gonzalez Martin (via Blanca Remontada Twitch), Real Madrid could go after and win Alphonso Davies’ signature in the summer of 2024, having already secured Fran Garcia’s for the next season.
Bayern Munich are reportedly looking to fill their coffers and given the Merengues’ interest in the full-back, they could be tempted to part ways with him.
Los Blancos are willing to shell out €50 million for the player. Since Davies has just over two years left on his contract in Germany, it would appear to be a fair offer as he would be entering the final twelve months of his deal in 2024.
The Canadian International has started 22 Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists in the process. He averages 1.7 key passes and over ten defensive actions per game.
Ancelotti’s side re-signed Garcia from Rayo Vallecano earlier this season, and the Spaniard will arrive at Santiago Bernabeu in June.
With a huge outlay being planned for Jude Bellingham for this summer, they could decide to go after Davies in 2024, when he enters the final year of his contract.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
Mike Bast
April 9, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Don’t do it Alphonso. Players joining Real Madrid too often get marginalized.