Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rejected two goalkeeper signings in the summer to back veteran star – report
Real Madrid’s number so far this season may not highlight Thibaut Courtois’ brilliance, but the fact of the matter is that the Belgian star has been simply stellar.
Having just two clean sheets so far underplays his brilliance significantly, but it has more to do with the team’s defensive lacunae.
Yesterday, word broke out that the Belgian star is set to renew his deal with Real Madrid and that an agreement in principle has been reached. Despite his age, after all, he continues to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Real Madrid backing Courtois
As reported by Fabrizio Romano in a recent update, Real Madrid have been thinking about the goalkeeping situation for a while now, and agents of goalkeepers across the globe naturally have knowledge of the same.
In fact, the club have been offered two goalkeeper signings since the summer alone. However, they did not waste any time in rejecting the approaches.
Los Blancos maintained a strong response to the representatives of the said goalkeepers.
“We have the best goalkeeper in the world,” they said, making it clear that they do not see a need to replace the veteran yet. Now, the player will stay at the club for longer after his renewal.
No signs or plans of stopping
At 34 years of age, it is understandable that Real Madrid are only offering a renewal until 2027-28 to the player.
However, Courtois himself has no plans to stop for at least the next five years and sees himself as capable of operating at the highest level for long.
Los Blancos, for their part, will continue assessing the player’s performances and rewarding him with optimal renewals based on the same.
As matters stand, however, he is the best goalkeeper in the world and will stay at the club next season. The longer-term plan will depend on his output level.
So far this season, the former Chelsea star has maintained two clean sheets, and the most recent of them came against Villarreal at the weekend.
Needless to say, his objective will be to keep the momentum going as the season progresses into a critical month ahead.
Real Madrid have an interesting selection dilemma at left-back, with Marc Cucurella and Alvaro Carreras competing for a starting spot under Jose Mourinho.
While Cucurella brings experience and an established reputation, Carreras is making an increasingly convincing case to become the team’s first-choice option.
The battle between the two Spaniards is particularly relevant given Madrid’s defensive difficulties so far this season.
Mourinho is searching for greater defensive stability and has an important choice to make between Cucurella and Carreras.
Carreras offers the defensive security Madrid need
One of Carreras’ biggest strengths is his ability to defend in one-v-one situations.
The 23-year-old generally looks comfortable against direct wingers, showing patience in his positioning and making it difficult for opponents to get past him.
That defensive reliability is particularly valuable in Mourinho’s system, where full-backs can find themselves isolated when Madrid lose possession.
Cucurella, meanwhile, has occasionally looked vulnerable against opponents attacking him directly, with space opening up for crosses from his side.
With Vinicius Junior usually playing ahead of him, the former Chelsea man does not get the defensive support he needs from his winger, leaving him isolated.
However, Carreras’ case is not built entirely on defending. He is also comfortable carrying possession forward, driving into space and helping Madrid progress down the left flank.
This makes him an attractive option for a team that has struggled to progress the ball up the pitch as consistently as they would have hoped.
Cucurella still offers qualities Mourinho values
Despite the growing case for Carreras, Cucurella should not be dismissed, and his reputation should not be forgotten.
His experience, aggressive pressing and willingness to engage opponents higher up the pitch can be useful when Madrid want to pin back the opposition.
He is also capable of moving into central areas to support possession, giving Mourinho different tactical possibilities.
However, Cucurella’s attacking contributions have not always been as influential as expected during these early weeks.
The Spaniard made a name for himself at Chelsea and with Spain by getting into attacking positions and creating chances for his teammates.
At Madrid, however, with the team looking to pass the ball quickly to runners like Vinicius and Mbappe, the best aspect of Cucurella’s game has not come to the fore.
This makes defensive solidity the primary requirement for Madrid’s left-back, and it is here that Carreras seems to have an advantage over Cucurella.
Carreras deserves an extended opportunity
At this stage, Carreras has a strong argument for becoming Madrid’s preferred left-back.
His defensive qualities appear particularly suited to the team’s immediate needs, while his ability to carry possession ensures Madrid would not sacrifice much attacking potential.
Instead of treating the left-back role as a game of musical chairs, Mourinho would be better off giving one of the two an extended run to make the position their own.
Competition for places is healthy as long as it does not breed insecurity, and at the moment, Carreras seems to be in better form than Cucurella.
It will not be easy to justify benching a summer investment, but Mourinho’s job is to make those difficult calls, and it remains to be seen how he approaches this decision.
