Real Madrid News
Real Madrid still trying to sell forgotten defender, Premier League move an option
With not much time left for the summer transfer window to end, Real Madrid are still working on a few player exits.
The reigning champions of Spain and Europe released the likes of Isco, Gareth Bale and Marcelo this summer while also getting rid of Borja Mayoral, Luka Jovic, Miguel Gutierrez and Takefusa Kubo, among several others.
The most high-profile departure came this past weekend as Casemiro was allowed to leave for Manchester United in a deal worth €85 million, including add-ons. However, that might not be the end of the exits at the Bernabeu.
Mariano Diaz is likely to be on his way out, with the striker now ready to leave Real Madrid.
And, according to journalist Alberto Pereiro, forgotten defender Alvaro Odriozola will also be sold, with Real Madrid still working on finding a club for the Spaniard.
Signed from Real Sociedad in 2018, the 26-year-old never really settled down at the Spanish capital club and found himself struggling for game-time. A loan move to Bayern Munich in 2020 did little to spark a turnaround of fortunes for him.
Odriozola did see moderate success last season when he was loaned out to Fiorentina. However, a permanent move to the Serie A club does not appear to be on the radar.
At Real Madrid, the right-back finds himself behind Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez and even Vinicius Tobias in the pecking order. So, an exit seems the best possible solution for him and the club at the moment.
The report from Alberto Pereiro claims that the Premier League could be a serious option for Odriozola this summer. There had been links with newly-promoted club Nottingham Forest, but those rumours have gone quiet.
Inter Milan in Serie A were another club to have been linked with the ex-Real Sociedad ace and could rekindle their interest if they lose Denzel Dumfries.
As things stand, a summer departure looks the likeliest move for Odriozola. But his next destination remains unclear at this point.
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.
