Real Madrid News
Summer arrival could eventually open the door for major Real Madrid exit – report
One of the major talking points surrounding Real Madrid in the summer was the contractual situation involving Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian was entering the final year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the negotiations did not prove to be straightforward.
Eventually, Los Blancos accepted more than they initially offered to get Vinicius to put pen to paper on a new contract with Madrid.
However, the club’s decision to invest heavily in Yan Diomande could eventually have consequences for Vinicius Junior, particularly if the Brazilian continues to struggle to rediscover his best form.
Diomande changes the equation
According to Defensa Central, the arrival of Diomande has created a potential scenario in which Madrid could become more receptive to a future Vinicius departure.
The club are not actively looking to sell him at the moment, but Madrid’s attacking riches mean no player is untouchable.
Diomande’s emergence matters because he can operate from the left, the area Vinicius has made his own at the Bernabeu.
The 19-year-old has already shown enough to demand more opportunities, while Arda Guler has also strengthened his claim for a significant attacking role.
Vinicius, meanwhile, has endured a difficult start to the season. Mourinho has publicly supported him and maintained that rediscovering his best football is a matter of time.
However, there is only so long that Mourinho can keep faith in the Brazilian if the performances do not back it up.
A major offer could change Madrid’s position
Vinicius’ recent renewal makes an immediate departure unlikely. A sufficiently large offer, however, could potentially force Madrid to consider their options.
Much would depend on the Brazilian himself. If Vinicius rediscovers the intensity and decisive quality that helped Madrid win major trophies, there is little reason to push him out.
However, if his difficulties continue while Diomande develops rapidly, the conversation inevitably becomes different.
For years, Vinicius’ importance to Madrid made his position virtually unquestionable. The squad Mourinho now possesses means that status can no longer be taken entirely for granted.
Diomande is young, explosive and already pushing for minutes. Madrid also have other attacking pieces capable of assuming greater responsibility.
An exit for Vinicius would not come as a total surprise if things do not improve, and it remains to be seen how things pan out.
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
