Real Madrid News
Real Madrid talisman warned about injury risk by midfield legend – ‘Sometimes he overdoes it’
Real Madrid kickstarted their UEFA Champions League campaign on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart.
Apart from Endrick becoming the youngest Real Madrid player to score a goal in the competition, the game also witnessed the return of Jude Bellingham.
After a spell on the sidelines, the Englishman started in midfield and played eighty minutes, before being replaced by Endrick late in the game.
Seedorf sends warning to Bellingham
As Bellingham looks to return to full fitness and kickstart the new season, the midfielder has received a word of caution from footballing legend Clarence Seedorf.
Speaking to Daily Mail (h/t SPORT), Seedorf began explaining what it takes to thrive at the highest level of football, pointing out certain key facets such as “Lots of hours of work, staying fit, resting, even during matches.”
The Dutchman, who spent four years at Real Madrid, went on to point out how it is important to calibrate one’s energy, urging Bellingham not to make too many unnecessary runs in games.
“You have to know how to calibrate your energy. Bellingham is young, so he can learn to do it better,” he said.
“Sometimes he overdoes it in games, makes runs that aren’t necessary, even defensively. But all of that comes with experience. He’ll improve at that,” he added.
Seedorf expressed that it would be ‘disappointing’ to see Bellingham picking up more injuries in the future, as the youngster has immense potential.
“I just hope he doesn’t get injured too often because that would upset me. I want to see him create an incredible career, but staying fit and healthy is the most important thing. I hope he and the coaches can manage his energy so he can avoid injuries,” he concluded.
Since joining Real Madrid, Bellingham has had to endure three different spells on the sidelines, which is quite concerning.
It is, therefore, imperative that the team doctors take more precaution with Bellingham’s fitness, especially as Real Madrid brace themselves for a crucial period ahead.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid key midfielder ready to start vs Atletico Madrid after strong return from injury
Real Madrid have had a few injuries to contend with since the start of the season, with Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick all serving spells on the sidelines.
The trio are back in training now and looking to work their way into Jose Mourinho’s plans after a disrupted pre-season.
Now, according to Alberto Pereiro, Tchouameni appears to be winning the race to return to Real Madrid’s starting XI for the derby against Atletico Madrid.
The 26-year-old is said to be in the best physical condition of the players who have recently returned from injury.
Thiago Pitarch, Endrick and Tchouameni all rejoined team training last week, but the Frenchman is currently considered the most match-ready of the three.
Tchouameni ahead in the recovery race
As such, Tchouameni is now expected to start against Atletico Madrid later this week. That would be an important boost for Mourinho considering the physical nature of the game in store.
Tchouameni gives Real Madrid something very specific in midfield. He can protect the defence, compete in duels, cover large spaces and provide the kind of structure Mourinho values when matches become chaotic.
His return would also allow Real Madrid to approach the game with more balance around Federico Valverde and the attacking players ahead of them.
Mourinho has always valued his profile
Mourinho has been careful with Tchouameni’s recovery rather than rushing him back before he was fully ready.
That patience now looks set to pay off. Madrid have enough technical quality in midfield, but against Atletico, the game is unlikely to be decided by possession alone.
The ability to win second balls, close transition spaces and survive physically intense periods could be just as important.
This is exactly where Tchouameni thrives.
Pitarch and Endrick may need more time
The latest update also suggests Pitarch and Endrick are slightly behind Tchouameni in terms of physical readiness.
That does not necessarily mean either player is unavailable, but it would make sense for Mourinho to manage their minutes more cautiously. The duo are expected to be fully ready after the international break.
Pitarch still has an important role to play in a crowded midfield, while Endrick will be looking to re-establish himself in the attacking rotation after his own injury interruption.
For the derby, neither of those players is likely to be an option for the XI, but Tchouameni will definitely be a great addition.
If he does start, it would underline how highly Mourinho values him in the biggest matches. At the Metropolitano, Madrid may need Tchouameni more than anyone else, and it remains to be seen how things play out.
