Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran already has a renewal offer, no ‘expiry date’ on the proposal
According to reports from El Larguero, Nacho Fernandez has a renewal offer from Real Madrid on the table. Unlike the deal the club offered Sergio Ramos a few years ago, it has no deadline or expiry date.
With the defender, the Merengues have decided to stop putting deadlines on renewal offers for players aged over 30. The ball now lies in his court and any developments must spring from his end.
The report adds that Los Blancos really admire Nacho’s professionalism and dedication to the badge. They see him as the perfect example of how to live like a Real Madrid player. The Spanish champions wish to reward that love and loyalty to the club at any cost.
The Spanish defender spoke openly about his dismay at how he was being treated early in the season when he sat low on the pecking order.
Yet, the mental block did not affect his performance on the field and he soon became the first-choice replacement for any injury in the defensive line.
In recent weeks, his primary role has been to cover at left-back for Ferland Mendy and occasionally make a cameo in central defence. He was on target in the 2-0 win over Cadiz last weekend and came on as a substitute in the club’s recent 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The 33-year-old’s contract at Santiago Bernabeu ends in the summer and an agreement to renew seems to be close. The only factor that poses a hurdle, however, is the fact that Nacho is not assured a starting spot for next season and will have to continue as a super substitute.
Nacho has made 19 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process. Further, he has overseen five clean sheets and averages over six defensive actions per game.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
