Vinicius stalled, Jovic and Odegard sent out on loan, Llorente, Reguilon, Hakimi , Brahim all shipped out, no chances for Militao as well. As if not reinvigorating the squad during the 3 peat period was not bad enough, what is going on now is simply bizarre. There's is clearly neither any short term or long term goal. We can get back to those dark ages pretty quick the way things are going on now.
Yeah, I’m failing to see the plan here. The big thing was suppose to be buying youth and making them super stars because of the crazy spending nowadays. Now all the youth got or are being shipped off... like what the heck.
Zidane. Not to sound like a broken record but the plan to invest in youth would have worked at least significantly better, if not perfectly, if Zidane cared a bit more for the longer term. Vinicius was our best attacking player when he first joined. Jovic was one of the most wanted strikers in Europe. Ødegaard was coming off a breakout season with Real Sociedad which was recognised by the league and UEFA. Llorente has proved to be a successful signing for Atletico Madrid who currently top the league table. Reguilón was voted best left back in the league before being sold. Hakimi is renowned as being one of the best attacking full backs and can also play as a right winger. Valverde hasn't had many chances this season despite previous good performances. Militao hasn't had much opportunities despite the form of Varane. So much talent simply wasted.
Listen to this: Atletico Madrid paid 25 mil. Euro for Mario Hermoso, for who we had a buyback clause of 7,5m Euro and he's a starter for them, ranking top 3 in field players minutes this season, for the best defense in the League, meanwhile we paid 50 million to have Militao play less than 500 minutes for us in all competitions. YIKES
Valverde has started 12 of the 20 matches he has been healthy to play but he hasn't been given many opportunities. This Valverde is the same player Zidane insisted upon when most want Llorente to play midfield (he plays in attack now). Everything must be exaggeration and hyperbole. It must be Zidane has ruined everything. The reality is he has messed up one some but he has gotten it right on others.
Last time Valverde played 90 minutes of football for Real Madrid was in November 2020. That's hardly a sign of a player the coach relies on.
You picked one player, who hasn't even played a lot in recent times, as one example to call the whole thing hyperbole. In terms of implementing and developing young talent (getting it right with others as you put it), I can only think of Casemiro. Happy to be corrected here, but pretty much everyone else was around and playing when Ancelotti was manager.
More Hyperbole; For one Valverde has been injured for 7 of the 27 matches weve had this season. Secondly Valverde's last 10 matches he has started 4 and played at least as a sub the remaining 6. That's for a player just coming back from injury who needs to be slowly adapted back and still has an inform Modric demanding playing time. You guys want the impossible and when you don't get it you complain profusely. I don't know how you can give Valverde more starts as well as continue to play Modric, Kroos and Casemiro.. while giving the two Castilla midfielders starts as well. My point of only pointing out one was to show how wrong your premise is that Zidane fails at everything. I mean you guys are so far gone the midfielder he specifically chosen and has consistently relied upon is now one of the posterboys for this 'fuera Zidane' movement. It's crazy and it shows human nature so purely.
Valverde started against Valencia in that 4-1 fiasco and then over a month later to play 68 minutes. He has not crossed the 80 minute mark on the field since that match against Valencia, maybe Zidane blames that result on him? Pretty curious to see him not play a single match in its entirety as a young guy meanwhile Modric, Kroos and Casemiro play back to back to back across national team breaks.
The most idiotic decision i can remember recently.... to loan out really good attacking minded midfielder when we are struggling in front. what if (tfu tfu tfu) Lukita will be injured? oh, i see, Lucas probably will play CM : )
📍🌖| Zidane and Bettoni believe that Lucas Vazquez can be the team's 6th midfielder, after Ødegaard's departure to Arsenal. The player is really versatile, and they believe that he can play as a full-back, a winger, and a midfielder. @abc_deportes #rmalive— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 25, 2021
Oh my gosh, they actually did agree to loan out Martin? When he put in games at the start of the season I was so pumped for him at RM.
Could Militao have played more, yes i think so, I can say other than the copa i just didn't see him getting significant mins too early in his career here, the comparison with Hermoso though i don't think is a fair one, IMO as far as the CL and La Liga is concerned Hermoso didn't/doesn't have a partnership like Sergio and Rafa in front of him, and no matter what is thought of Rafa (who was a big part of our best defensive display in years just last season) here, that's just reality
Speaking of Hermoso: Mario Hermoso might be the best ball playing CB in Europe right now. pic.twitter.com/mVh0BfLUgU— Marcus Bring (@MarcusBr22) January 24, 2021
🚨🌕| There will be a meeting between Real Madrid and Arsenal about Ødegaard at the end of the season. His situation could depend on Zidane's future at the club. @FabrizioRomano #rmalive— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 25, 2021
Hopefully he can get into shape after his major injury last season, but who knows what will happen in the future which is always hard to predict. However one thing is certain any young players need to be active playing. Zidane cant sit Modric & Kroos how they are playing that is not even an option. Real M. club might have a different approach next season and think about the future and transition like Barcelona is doing now. So it is only Ødegaard own fault he did "not" perform well enough in those minutes this season no excuses.
I know Odegaard has a chronic problem but he still played so much last season and performed very well. I worry his injury may distance him from a future with RM but at the same time, I think our midfield is so stacked he can find a balance between performing and resting. I hope things work for him, he is the kind of player I really enjoy watching. I can't wait for next season. This one looks like a poor sequel to the last one.
How we couldn’t make room to see the kid make some progress in the team is truly mind boggling. Wtf is Zidane doing out there.
LV covers the right half of the pitch (RCB/RB/RCM/RM/RW), we're looking for his equivalent on the left side. It's going to be special.