Real Madrid News
UEFA Nations League winner tight-lipped on Real Madrid move: “Now we can trust the internet?”
Joselu was on point for the Spanish national team once again on Sunday night. Stepping up to take the team’s first penalty of a thrilling shootout in the UEFA Nations League final, the veteran converted with ease to play his part in their win over Luka Modric’s Croatia.
The Espanyol striker was asked about his potential move to Real Madrid after the game. Joselu, yet again, refused to provide a confirmation of the move and remain tight-lipped about the situation as revealed by COPE, by saying:
“My transfer to Real Madrid? So now we can trust the internet?”
The forward’s decision to stay coy about his future is understandable given that Real Madrid are delaying the official announcement. Though it has been days since the deal was agreed upon informally, the official announcement is yet to be made.
Reports yesterday revealed that Los Blancos would place all operations directed to signing forwards on hold until Kylian Mbappe’s decision was clear. There was, however, one exception to the clause reported – Joselu.
In fact, Florentino Perez himself confirmed the Spaniard’s signing yesterday. At this point, there should be no doubt that the former Espanyol man will don the white colours next season.
It is growing increasingly likely that Real Madrid do not sign another forward this summer after Joselu. In such a situation, the former academy player would almost certainly feature as a regular starter for Carlo Ancelotti’s side and will be under pressure to deliver from the front.
It may be too much to ask of a player who is potentially arriving for just one season. Yet, if the Spaniard can prove his worth to the manager, there is no doubt that Los Blancos will trigger the clause to make his deal permanent.
An official announcement regarding the forward’s arrival can be expected later this week.
Life at Real Madrid has gotten off to a rather torrid start for Turkish starlet Arda Guler, who has already faced a large number of setbacks since singing for Los Blancos.
Aged just 18, the winger-slash-midfielder has already picked up seven injuries in his senior career, which is cause for serious concern, especially since a couple of them have affected his ligaments – which is always bad news.
Hotly-tipped to be an exciting addition to the Madrid squad going forward, the youngster had to drop out of their pre-season tour early due to a meniscus injury.
This was treated conservatively, but after that did not yield good results, he had to undergo a procedure and seemed set to make the squad against Las Palmas, before another injury setback.
According to Diario AS, the new problem can keep him out for three weeks to a month, which means his Real Madrid debut may have to wait till early November, after the first El Clasico of the season on 28th October.
Guler’s history of fitness problems
In their report, AS also state that the Turkish teenager seems to have a propensity for injuries, accumulating seven of them in his career already.
There is also word going around that his recovery from this meniscus issue was rushed and not handled adequately.
That, combined with a stroke of bad luck means Real Madrid have to be very mindful of how Guler is reintegrated into the squad going forward.
This new injury is reportedly a thigh problem which will also need to be treated with caution.
A special recovery plan
Carlo Ancelotti stated before and after the Las Palmas clash that the plan was for Guler to have some minutes against the Canary Islanders, but he said that genetics, luck and a lack of sharpness have a big part to play in this relapse.
The Italian manager did say that this issue is not as serious, but all signs indicate that there is an urgent need to work on the youngster’s conditioning.
AS thus say that a specific plan has been devised since the summer to enhance Guler’s fitness and his resistance.
This is a programme that is reportedly similar to the one Rodrygo followed when he arrived from Brazil, much thinner than he is today, but without having sacrificed his football qualities.
