Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rule out move for 21-year-old midfield prodigy who prefers Tottenham
Real Madrid have shifted their focus to the signing of a new midfielder while work continues in the background for a Galactico transfer involving Michael Olise.
As far as the midfield is concerned, Los Blancos’ incoming manager, Jose Mourinho, had multiple names in mind, one of whom happened to West Ham United and Portugal starlet Mateus Fernandes.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who enjoyed a fine season in the Premier League despite the Hammers’ relegation, has become one of the most coveted players in the market, with Real Madrid among his suitors.
Real Madrid pull out of race
However, according to the latest update from AS, Real Madrid have now ruled out a move for Mateus Fernandes this summer.
The Spanish capital giants made an initial enquiry for the Portuguese midfielder, with Mourinho understood to be admirer of his qualities.
However, upon making the enquiry, Real Madrid learned that Fernandes preferred a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
The Lilywhites, along with Manchester United, are both pushing to sign him and it appears that the 21-year-old prefers a move to north London as he believes it would be best for his development at this point in his career.
In fact, some reports in England have already suggested that Fernandes is close to reaching an agreement over personal terms with Tottenham.
Real Madrid, therefore, have abandoned their pursuit of Fernandes at this stage and are now pursuing alternatives.
All roads lead to Enzo Fernandez
Instead, Real Madrid are now ready to go all-in on Chelsea and Argentina superstar Enzo Fernandez.
The Blues’ vice-captain is very much open to the idea of moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer. In fact, the former Benfica ace has reportedly been offering himself to the club repeatedly.
With a move for Mateus Fernandes ruled out and Mourinho seemingly not fully convinced by Lille and Morocco teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, all roads lead to Enzo for Real Madrid.
Signing him will not be easy though as the Argentine World Cup winner will command a transfer fee in the upwards of the €100 million mark.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
