Real Madrid News
Real Madrid yet to finalise four expiring contracts, Spanish duo might leave
Real Madrid have a lot of decisions to take in the coming weeks, especially regarding the contract renewals of existing players. After all, the Merengues have some of their biggest stars’ contracts expiring in the summer.
Anton Meana (h/t Madrid Xtra) provides an update on the situation of four players and the possible outcome regarding their contract extension.
The Spanish journalist maintains that Dani Ceballos is not appreciated much by the management or the coach, and the decision of his continuity rests completely with the player.
His improved performances in recent weeks have earned him a renewal proposal, however, it will as the last-choice midfielder.
The situation with Marco Asensio is similar. The Spanish winger has fallen back in the pecking order and now has the young Alvaro Rodriguez ahead of him too. The club has told him that he will never be a starter, and a departure is thus more likely in the summer.
Real Madrid are yet to send Luka Modric an official renewal offer but it is only a matter of time before talks begin.
The club want the veteran to stay for another year, but pressure from Al-Nassr seems to be creeping into the Croatian’s mind. Earlier today, it was reported that Modric is closer to leaving than staying.
The final update offered is on the situation of Toni Kroos. The German international has not explicitly said that he will stay beyond his contract which runs out in the summer.
There is a real possibility that the midfielder retires at the end of the campaign, but he could play one final season for the Merengues.
With both veteran midfield stars having uncertain futures at the club, Real Madrid must look to go all out in the coming summer transfer window to improve the squad depth. Jude Bellingham, needless to say, is the top priority.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
