Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will look to sign a backup striker in the summer – report
Real Madrid have had issues with a lack of depth in some positions in their squad this season. The most glaring issue in Carlo Ancelotti’s roster has been the absence of a backup striker for captain and ace goalscorer Karim Benzema.
Having allowed Luka Jovic to leave, Ancelotti was left with just Mariano Diaz as the only other natural centre-forward in the squad, but the forward is out of favour and has hardly played this season.
It has compelled the manager to utilise Rodrygo as a No. 9 when Benzema has been unavailable, which has been a regular occurrence this term due to the Frenchman’s fitness problems.
While the Brazilian has performed well while operating through the middle, it cannot be a long-term solution for Real Madrid.
Hence, according to AS, the reigning champions of Spain and Europe are planning to bring in a new ‘backup’ striker in the summer transfer window.
Despite Mariano wanting to continue at the club, the forward will not be given a new contract and will be released when his current one expires at the end of the season. So, there will be room for a new No. 9 to arrive in the summer.
At the same time, Real Madrid also want to go after Erling Haaland in 2024.
Due to their schemes of pursuing Haaland and the arrival of Endrick next year, Los Blancos will particularly look for a backup striker who can do the job for one season – akin to the past signings of Javier Hernandez or Emmanuel Adebayor.
There are no names on the agenda as of yet, but the plan is to recruit a new backup for Benzema who can serve the team for a year before Real Madrid welcome Endrick into the fold and go after Haaland’s signing.
According to MARCA, Eder Militao is seen as the undisputed leader of the Real Madrid defence, thanks to his ‘impeccable’ level of performances. The 25-year-old’s standing in the team has forced a duel between David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger for the second centre-back slot.
Militao arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, joining from FC Porto in a deal worth €50 million. While he made a slow start to life in Spain, the Brazilian slowly grew in stature from his second season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Following the exits of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Militao established himself as a permanent fixture in the backline for the Merengues and was a standout performer last season as they won the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League trophy.
The 25-year-old has carried on in the same vein of form this season as well, featuring in 35 matches across all competitions for Real Madrid, even chipping in with six goals.
The Brazilian international is seen as one of the best centre-backs in the world currently, with Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti sharing that opinion.
“I may lose credibility if I say Vinicius and Militão are the best striker and defender in the world respectively but it’s the truth. I am honest. Militão lacks nothing,” he had said last month.
Militao is not only viewed as the leader of the Real Madrid defence, but has also grown into a leader within the locker room as well, with the player being loved and fully supported by his teammates.
Militao’s presence has meant that Alaba and Rudiger have had to battle it out for the lone centre-back slot. The former had enjoyed a stunning season last time out after joining from Bayern Munich in 2021, but has struggled with injuries and fitness problems this term.
As for Rudiger, the German arrived last summer from Chelsea and started out slow, but has grown in confidence and stature, especially in recent months. So much so that, his signing is already being regarded as a success within the club.
In Militao, Real Madrid undoubtedly have a long-term fixture at the heart of the defence. But with Rudiger and Alaba in their thirties, the Merengues must look to bring in one more player who can take over from them in the near future and can form a partnership with Militao.
Ramanosky
January 29, 2023 at 10:33 am
RM should look into castilla, there are wonder
kids there