How Do You Replace a Legend? - The Transfers, Rumors & Lies Thread

Even if our players are more tired, the psychological pressure is all on Barcelona. We can beat them with a certain level of ease. Just need to take the game seriously.

 

Playing at home w Barca absolutely needing 3 points serves us well. We’ll hit em on the counter. The league is over with just a draw IMO.

 

They'r at their lowest right now.....and I love it!

 

Barca played with 10 men for 60 minutes and got knocked out despite leading by 2 goals. That's hard to recover from mentally. We had a brutal night physically but must be euphoric. But this is also a do or die match for Barca in La Liga title race while we have a good cushion. That mentality backfired in 2022 home Clasico (mostly because Carlo played weird formation with Modric as false 9 too).

 

🗣️ Casemiro: “Mbappé is the best at the moment. He’s very fast & intelligent. When we faced them 2 years ago, he was the best. He played 2 incredible games.

For me, there are few games where a player did everything perfectly, and Mbappé did that against us.” @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/ax1a7MH2NR

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 18, 2024

🗣️ Casemiro: “Mbappé reminds me of Cristiano. He’s on the field, he’s smelling a goal. You have to be worried with this guy because he will score a goal. Cristiano was like that.” @elchiringuitotv pic.twitter.com/vLFsxQ6WqA

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 18, 2024

 

I don't know who comes this summer but I'm seeing a lot more flexibility with Jr these days and I confident he'll adapt to whatever role he has

 

He wasn't too shabby centrally imho.

 

Ya, he used to need that space to run into but I don't think it's necessary anymore. Of course it's the best position for him but he's able to play more centrally and I am even seeing him show up on the right side now from time to time.

Regardless what happens I think more positional flexibility will help us get more out of Rodrygo. Frankly I think there have been times Rodrygo has floated to the Left with Jr moving to middle or right side just to help Rodrygo get into a rhythm this season.

 

T

The Rodrygo assist goal came from Vini on the right.

 

Leny Yoro vs Aston Villa (H)pic.twitter.com/nz2dWTRzDj

— 🇫🇷 (@YoroEra_) April 18, 2024

Ayer se confirmó que Leny Yoro no es una promesa, sino una realidad. El partido que hizo ante el Aston Villa fue, sin duda, el mejor de su carrera. La manera en la que achica y su lectura de situaciones límite son brillantes. Y tiene 18 años... https://t.co/gmxQ5BCXzs

— Andrés Onrubia Ramos (@AndiOnrubia) April 19, 2024

 

🚨 Carlo Ancelotti’s staff have advised Arda Güler to go out on loan. There is no official decision made yet, but it’s the most likely scenario. @MatteMoretto, @caughtoffside pic.twitter.com/wOVKTNLw9Z

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 19, 2024

🚨 Arda Güler has ‘a flood’ of offers. A lot of teams want him on loan, in Spain & abroad.

Real Madrid would like him to go out on loan to a UCL side to gain experience. @MatteMoretto, @caughtoffside pic.twitter.com/hUwHPWmjZd

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 19, 2024

 

But we are on a high note.

 

This guy looks like a monster. He’s got the physicality to throw his body into tough duels and aerial battles, but it also looks like he has elite passing range and technique with the ball at his feet.

It makes sense that it seems the club doesn’t want to pass up on this guy despite the fact that we have 4 cb’s as it stands.

 

4 CB's and 3 of them over 30. 2 are post ACL. Perfect sense.

 

I used to say I see some R9 in Vinicius.

 

Which makes me wonder, who's he going to replace? Nacho or Alaba?

If Nacho retires, then Alaba isn't going to play 4th choice CB on his wage and where else is he going to play?

 

I’d rather keep Nacho than Alaba. I know Nacho hasn’t been the best at times, but he’s a clutch player who will play anywhere asked.

Alaba refused to play LB as a diva, and was declining rapidly. Add in a complicated ACL recovery and massive wages….. Saudi needs to be on the bat phone to get a deal done this summer.

 

Yeah, I'd agree. Given ACL, age and wages, I think Alaba might be on his way out in the summer if we can find someone

Then again, the club has shown many of times the emotional connection to some players and keeping them beyond what they can offer so wouldn't surprise me if he does stay somehow

 

I know that Mendy has recovered defensively, he’s been an absolute wall this season which is great.

I think ideally we’d find a way to sign Davies, and keep Mendy. Having both of them would be ideal as Davies would be an upgrade offensively in some of these games were we need offense against the low block and Mendy is important in the games we need defense.

probably not a realistic outcome but makes the most sense long term.

 

Probably a little far-fetched, but maybe see if there's mutual interest in a transfer but Yoro remains in Lille for another year on loan? As mentioned, Alaba's on what amounts to an un-movable contract, and I wouldn't really count on Saudi saving us both because who knows if they're interested in him but also because who's to say Alaba's ready to enter soft retirement.

I don't think for one minute the club passes on 18-year-old Leny Yoro because of the decisions of 34-year-old Nacho. I also don't think the club will force Nacho out the door, they'll let him decide his future somewhat on his terms out of respect. I'm not worried how this one ultimately turns out - it sounds like we're in the drivers seat for this signing given Lille's reluctance to deal with PSG - but the way it's handled will be interesting.

 

🚨 BREAKING: Nacho has told Real Madrid that he wants to LEAVE. @jfelixdiaz pic.twitter.com/ywuR1B1k0J

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) April 19, 2024

❗️Nacho has told Real Madrid that he wants to leave.

— @marca pic.twitter.com/B7aQ9KKXfk

— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) April 19, 2024

 

that's fair

he deserves to move on to a new challenge if he wants

 

🚨⚪️ Nacho has informed Real Madrid of his intention to leave at the end of the season.

The club has been informed, as reported by @jfelixdiaz @marca.

Nacho’s contract expires in June and he’s now really planning to leave as free agent. pic.twitter.com/SGFNtsLu0H

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 19, 2024

Confirmed by Fabrizio as well. Space open for Yoro