Real Madrid News
Real Madrid want teenage prodigy to prove himself with Castilla before opening first-team doors
The Champions League clash against Celtic brought with it a big blow for Carlo Ancelotti in the form of Karim Benzema’s injury. The Frenchman is expected to be out for at least three games, bringing up the question – who will replace him?
Prima facie, it would appear that Eden Hazard is Ancelotti’s first-choice backup for Benzema. However, the Belgian is not a centre-forward and cannot be a like-for-like replacement. Given the situation, Iker Bravo would appear to be the best natural alternative.
According to reports from MARCA, Los Blancos are clear with their plan with Bravo. The club will first wait for him to settle with the Castilla team and show his qualities. The door to the first team will only open if he impresses. At the moment, Ancelotti will not risk excessively exposing the youngster.
Real Madrid signed the 17-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen in August on a season-long loan deal. There is, however, a purchase clause of €6 million in the agreement.
He is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia and spent over a decade there before moving to Germany last year. Several clubs including Atletico Madrid were interested in his signing this summer, but Real Madrid beat their competition to win the race.
Bravo has made only one appearance for Real Madrid Castilla so far, coming on for the final 18 minutes against Racing Ferrol.
While he is yet to open his account in Spain, there is optimism over his quality and the management are convinced that he can replace Benzema in the long term. For now, though, he must make an impression under Raul Gonzalez before he can get a look-in into the senior setup.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
Ahmed Adetunji Gbadamosi
September 11, 2022 at 2:03 am
Honestly I’m just speechless because Iker Bravo is the best like for like replacement for king Karim. I’m of the opinion he should be given the chance to prove himself.