Real Madrid News
Real Madrid trio set for training return today, could be available for Valladolid clash
As the restart of the La Liga season edges closer, Real Madrid are set to receive a fresh triple boost with regard to their squad today.
According to MARCA, the trio of Eder Militao, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes will rejoin training with Real Madrid later today and could make themselves available for the fixture against Real Valladolid on Friday.
Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius were part of the Brazil national team squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but were thwarted by Morocco in the tournament.
The Real Madrid trio were eliminated on December 9 and are now poised to rejoin training with the club after a 16-day vacation during which they have had time to put behind the disappointment of the World Cup and recharge their batteries.
It means, Ancelotti has almost recovered all his players following the World Cup, apart from the trio of Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Luka Modric who might not return in time to feature against Valladolid on Friday night.
However, as for the Brazilian trio, there is a good chance that they will be available for the match and two of them could even start at Estadio Jose Zorrilla, as per the report.
Militao might not be pushed to feature by Ancelotti, given that there are plenty of options available for him in the defensive department. However, the same cannot be said of the attacking unit.
At the moment, the manager only has Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio as the two forwards he counts on, with Mariano Diaz and Eden Hazard not a major part of his plans.
While Federico Valverde is also available, his services might be needed in midfield, increasing the possibility that either Vinicius or Rodrygo or both could be part of the starting XI for Real Madrid against Valladolid.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
