Real Madrid News
Spain boss Luis Enrique heaps praise on Real Madrid attacker: “Top player”
Speaking on his Twitch stream, Spain manager Luis Enrique has hailed Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio after his fine performance for La Roja against Costa Rica earlier this week.
Asensio was one of the main protagonists for Spain as they thrashed Costa Rica 7-0 to begin their FIFA World Cup campaign with a bang. And the 26-year-old Real Madrid ace was on target, scoring a fine half-volley in the first period.
The Real Madrid winger has been deployed as a No. 9 by Enrique in recent matches for Spain and he has delivered in the role with his movement in the final third as well as his aggressive pressing from the front.
Considering that he was on the fringes of the Merengues’ setup not very long ago, the turnaround has been a great one for Asensio and Enrique has praised the forward, calling him a top player.
“Every time he has been with us he has shown the desire that everyone has, but also precision and individual quality beyond any doubt. Marco is a world top player,” Enrique said on his stream (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Talking about utilising Asensio in a central role, the Spain manager added: “We’ve worked with him on the things we wanted him to improve and he has done just that. When he plays as a ‘9’ he initiates the pressure and that requires effort and great responsibility.”
“It’s a pleasure to see how our six forwards press, they give us guarantees. Marco is a guarantee and he’s in great form for the World Cup,” the Spain manager further added.
Asensio’s future has been a topic of intense debate, with his contract at Real Madrid expiring at the end of the season. While it has been reported that Los Blancos are looking to renew his deal, arch-rivals Barcelona are also keeping an eye on his situation.
In fact, the Blaugrana’s midfield sensation Pedri opened the door for Asensio to make the switch to Spotify Camp Nou at the end of the season when he said:
“He has a lot of quality, let’s see what happens with his contract but all good players have to be at Barça. Let’s see what happens with his contract but he has plenty of qualities. It is a decision that he has to make.”
If Asensio continues to perform at this level during the World Cup, more and more suitors will line up to sign him in the summer.
Real Madrid News
Harry Kane’s signing could complicate Real Madrid’s plan to sign Erling Haaland in 2024
Those sitting in the Real Madrid offices are aware that the team needs an emergency number 9. In this context, manager Carlo Ancelotti has already affirmed that they are working on some targets, although he decided not to reveal any names.
Now, what makes this operation trickier is that Madrid already have Erling Haaland on their agenda. The Manchester City forward is billed for the summer of 2024, meaning that any signing Madrid make this year will be extremely short-term.
A couple of days back, we reported that Ancelotti has made the signing of Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane his priority. The manager is of the idea that the England international will be the ideal candidate to provide competition to Benzema, whose physical fitness is now deteriorating.
As far as Kane is concerned, the Tottenham forward is rightly expected to leave and fellow Premier League side Manchester United happen to be interested in his acquisition as well.
It is not really difficult for Madrid to sign Kane, but the fact that Madrid already have Haaland in their plans is a problem, reports AS. At 29 years of age, Kane is not someone who would step down from his starting role when Haaland arrives.
Add to it the continuity of Benzema is yet another issue. All this means there is a high possibility that if Kane arrives, the team will overbook the number 9 position.
At the moment, there is a parade of names that Madrid are following, namely, Goncalo Ramos, Dusan Vlahovic and even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but nothing is certain at the moment.
What Madrid need is a short-term option, someone who is either willing to settle for a secondary role, even when Benzema leave/retires or is ready to come on a season-long loan to cover the position until Madrid sign Haaland in 2024. Either way, Harry Kane does not fit the bill.
