Ancelotti receives reinforcements, with Asensio in the spotlight
Marco Asensio, in a match last season. /
preseason
The Real Madrid internationals who played in the League of Nations return to work in Valdebebas, with the Balearic as the main protagonist due to the uncertainty about their future
Day of reunions and new faces at the Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas. The Real Madrid internationals who were summoned for the four days of the League of Nations that were played last June, as well as Fede Valverde, who defended the colors of the Uruguayan team on those same dates, were summoned this Thursday to return to work and make himself available to Carlo Ancelotti, who thus has almost the entire squad to continue developing the preseason. The only exception is Karim Benzema, who was granted special permission by the club to extend his vacation and will join the Whites' expedition in Los Angeles on the 19th.
Among the reinforcements that Ancelotti can count on from this Thursday, the figures of Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni stand out, the only two signings undertaken by Real Madrid in the current summer market, although a good part of the spotlight is taken by Marco Asensio, whose future is still up in the air.
The Balearic footballer returned with a big smile on his face to the Real Madrid facilities to undergo the relevant medical examinations before beginning to undergo the strenuous training sessions designed by Antonio Pintus, crucial when facing a more demanding season than ever in which the Whites will have to play in six competitions and which will also be altered by the celebration of the World Cup in Qatar. An appointment that Asensio does not want to miss for anything in the world and that he plays a prominent role in the Majorcan's musings about whether it is convenient for him to continue wearing white or it is better to open a new stage away from the Spanish capital.
Asensio is, today, the main unknown in the Real Madrid squad for the coming season. His contract expires on June 30, 2023 and he has no renewal offer on the table. Despite the fact that he finished last season as the Whites' third top scorer thanks to the twelve goals he scored, the Chamartín leadership would welcome him leaving to make money. Ancelotti appreciates his conditions, but does not consider him untouchable, so he would not object to the Balearic's progress, which is followed by Milan or Arsenal, among other clubs. But the interested party continues to think about a decision on which his career depends.
A few months ago, Asensio left his lifelong representative, Horacio Gaggioli, to put his affairs in the hands of Jorge Mendes. A maneuver that was interpreted as a gesture of determination to go to market. However, Kylian Mbappe's decision to stay at PSG has given the Spaniard hopes of breaking through on the right flank of Real Madrid's attack. A position that last season was disputed with Rodrygo, but which would have been closed if Real Madrid had incorporated the Bondy star. Since this signing was not finally carried out, the Majorcan sees it possible to have quality minutes to earn a place in Luis Enrique's list for the World Cup that will be held between November 21 and December 18. december.
On June 7, while he was concentrating with the Spanish team, Asensio already hinted that he was seriously considering exhausting his contract and becoming a free agent next summer in case Real Madrid did not offer him a renewal. Something that, for the moment, has no signs of happening, so the Balearic Islands are still at the crossroads.
Hazard comes back fine
Along with Asensio, many eyes were focused on Rüdiger and Tchouaméni, the brilliant signings of the Spanish and European champion. The German arrives to reinforce the defensive wall and multiply the options in the rearguard, allowing Alaba to move to the left-handed flank to compete with Mendy when the former Chelsea player is Militao's dance partner. For his part, the French midfielder, for whom Real Madrid has paid a fixed 80 million euros plus 20 in variables, increases his muscle in midfield, where Ancelotti will have two trios with very different profiles: one more technical and experienced made up of Casemiro, Kroos and Modric; and another much more physical and youthful one made up of Tchouaméni, Camavinga and Valverde.
The flashes will also point to Eden Hazard from this Thursday, who hopes to make a clean slate after the long ordeal of injuries that have gripped him since his landing in Chamartín. The Belgian returns with renewed hopes after launching a promise to the fans during the celebrations for the Fourteenth on May 29 in Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles. «Madridistas, I have been here for three years with many injuries, with many things... But next year I am going to give everything for you», proclaimed the crack of La Louvière, who now has to show that his allegation was not mere words. To do this, the former Chelsea player has applied on vacation and has returned much finer than other summers.
