Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will offer new deal to Spaniard, but without improvement in salary or status
The past couple of months have been special for Dani Ceballos. From a state of absolute ruins, the Spanish midfielder has resurrected his career with high-level performances on the field, even prompting the Santiago Bernabeu faithful to chant his name.
A few months ago, a renewal at Real Madrid seemed to be an impossible proposition for Ceballos. Now, it is no longer seen with ambiguity as Carlo Ancelotti highly values the player’s profile. However, there is a catch.
According to reports from El Mundo, Real Madrid’s contract extension offer is imminent. However, it will not change his status in the team or his salary.
Ceballos wishes to play regularly, a condition that looks increasingly difficult at Real Madrid even if he renews. An extension would see him be at the club of his dreams, yet very far from the starter tag he desires.
The board and management at Real Madrid highly value the new generation of midfielders in Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga and see them as the torchbearers of ‘modern football’. The possible arrival of Jude Bellingham will add another name high up the pecking order.
Further, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric’s renewals progressing in the right direction, there is a sense that Ceballos will be the fifth or even sixth-choice midfielder next season despite his bright form.
His contract with Real Madrid ends in the summer, and a decision must be made swiftly. In the end, the choice comes down to two options – guaranteed playing time or a spot on the Real Madrid bench.
Ceballos has played 13 of the team’s last 14 games including eight appearances as a starter. Over the last 45 days, he has managed one goal and five assists and is even expected to start later tonight against Osasuna.
After a month into the new season, Aurelien Tchouameni is finally back in action for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman made his first appearance of the season for the Merengues last night against Inter Milan after recovering from the muscular injury that delayed his campaign.
His return to fitness had raised questions over where he would fit into Mourinho’s plans.
Tchouameni has been a regular in Real Madrid’s midfield for several seasons under different managers, but the end of last season was far less straightforward.
His confrontation with Federico Valverde, combined with speculation over his future at the club, created uncertainty about his position. His lack of a proper pre-season also appeared to put him behind other midfield options.
Bernardo Silva had established himself as an important figure, while Eduardo Camavinga was also ahead of Tchouameni in terms of match fitness.
With Real Madrid looking for greater creativity in midfield, there were questions over whether the Frenchman would still be a first-choice player.
Key for Mourinho
According to AS (h/t Bernabeu Digital), however, Mourinho has no such doubts. Tchouameni remains a key player for the Portuguese coach and is expected to be a starter.
Mourinho sees the French international as a midfielder without a direct replacement in the squad.
For Jose, Tchouameni provides something that none of the other midfielders in the squad do – a more defensive and positional presence, combining his tactical discipline with considerable physical strength.
His ability to shield the defence and provide balance could be particularly important for a Real Madrid side that want to defend aggressively and attack quickly in transition.
For that reason, his absence at the start of the campaign has not changed the manager’s view of his importance.
Mourinho faces a midfield selection problem
The challenge for Mourinho now is finding a way to fit all the pieces together.
If Tchouameni is guaranteed a starting position and Valverde is considered untouchable as captain, the obvious consequence is that Bernardo could find himself starting from the bench.
The summer arrival had been given an important role in helping Real Madrid control and distribute possession from deeper positions.
However, with Tchouameni and Valverde both occupying midfield places, Mourinho cannot accommodate everyone in the same lineup.
How the Portuguese coach manages that competition will be interesting to see in the coming weeks.
