Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran backed by NT coach for World Cup squad despite lack of minutes: ‘Very important asset’
Dani Carvajal’s place in Spain’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup has become a growing talking point, especially because of his limited role at the club level.
The experienced right-back, once an automatic starter, is now fighting for minutes, and that has naturally raised questions about his international future.
With the tournament approaching, all eyes have turned to Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, the man who will make the final call.
Many expected him to keep his cards close to his chest, but the coach chose a more direct approach when asked about Carvajal’s situation.
Important player for Spain
De la Fuente made it clear that, despite the lack of recent action, the defender is still very much in his plans.
He spoke about the importance of experienced players who are returning from injuries and the value they bring to the squad.
“Carvajal, like other players who have been injured and are in the process of recovery, is a very important asset, and we want to count on them.
Hopefully, we will all be healthy because it is better to make decisions from there,” said the coach as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
While that message offers some comfort, Carvajal’s reality at the club level paints a very different picture.
Since returning from injury earlier this year, the 34-year-old has struggled to get meaningful minutes.
Lack of playing time
Over the last month, he has featured for just 27 minutes across two matches, against Albacete and AS Monaco.
The situation became even more difficult in the recent clash against Valencia, where Alvaro Arbeloa opted to start youngster David Jimenez at right-back.
Later in the match, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had also just come back from injury, was chosen off the bench instead of Carvajal.
That decision reportedly left the veteran full-back frustrated and upset. The timing only adds to the tension, as this is a contract year for him, and his position in Spain’s World Cup squad is far from guaranteed.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
