Real Madrid News
Real Madrid to go all out for 19-year-old England star as long-term midfield solution
Ahead of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid were heavily tipped to make a superstar signing. Kylian Mbappe was the player most heavily linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu until he suddenly decided to renew his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
The PSG player’s decision to snub Los Blancos have not derailed their ambitions of signing a rising superstar.
According to reports from Estadio Deportivo, Real Madrid consider Jude Bellingham as the next missing piece in their puzzle. He is seen as a long-term ‘creative midfielder’ by the management and the Merengues will go all out for his signing.
Since his move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, the midfielder has made headlines regularly. In 32 league appearances for the Bundesliga side last season, the teenager scored three goals and provided eight assists. In 2020/21, he made four goal contributions in just 19 starts.
Real Madrid are looking to move on from their golden midfield of Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric in the coming years.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga are two young players who are expected to be a part of the midfield set-up for at least the next decade, while Federico Valverde is also in the mix. And one would expect Bellingham to take the third spot in the middle of the park.
However, Los Blancos are not the only club eyeing the 19-year-old. Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are also in the race for his signing and present stiff competition.
Belligham’s contract with Dortmund expires only in the summer of 2025. The England international is valued in the ballpark of €100 million, meaning that Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to shell out a large sum to secure his signing.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
