Real Madrid News
Real Madrid star rejects one-year contract offer, wants two years on his new deal
Nacho Fernandez has been one of the most underrated players of Real Madrid in recent years. Despite not establishing himself as a bonafide starter in the team, his commitment when given a chance has never been questionable.
The Merengues’ recent spell with injuries highlighted the Spaniard’s importance in the team, for Nacho was there to cover at both left-back and right-back when the situation demanded it.
Such was his influence that Jurgen Klopp named him the single reason behind Liverpool’s collapse after a good start at Anfield.
The centre-back’s contract with Real Madrid ends in the summer and there is no agreement between the two parties over an extension. While the club want Nacho to continue, the player has his doubts for a plethora of reasons.
According to reports from SPORT, Nacho has rejected Real Madrid’s first renewal offer which was for one additional year. The player wishes for a longer commitment with the club and expects a proposal that sees him at the club for two seasons at least.
The player’s demand is not unreasonable. However, it does not fit into Real Madrid’s ideology. The Merengues have limited veterans’ contract extensions to a single year and even club legend Sergio Ramos was forced to leave after denying to accept the one-season proposal on the table.
Nacho has started just eight games for Los Blancos this season in La Liga and has overseen four clean sheets. He averages over five defensive actions including three duels won per game.
In addition to the duration of his contract, Nacho’s dilemma over an extension stems from his sporting situation. The centre-back was said to be deeply affected by his lack of playing time at the beginning of the season, though the situation has changed in recent weeks.
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.
