I see it all of the time in teenage sports. Those kids, unless properly guided and coached ride the coattails of their genetic gifts and then hit an absolute wall when they have to come up against someone with genetic gifts and a mind for the game to back it up. One of the most harrowing things to watch in sport is when you see that happen. It's like watching Vegeta get absolutely pummeled by Frieza.
Another CB and getting rid of one of Fran or Mendy for someone that can challenge and win that starting LB spot are 2 biggest asks at the moment. Maybe another utility player like Nacho who can play anywhere on that backline.
🚨 BREAKING: Xabi Alonso has asked Real Madrid for two signings other than Trent Alexander-Arnold. He wants a LB and a CB. And they have AGREED.Work is now being DONE! @jfelixdiaz pic.twitter.com/R4P94rhvUs— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 12, 2025 I think it’s time for a new transfers thread for 2025-2026 season
Lmao that would be very strange if Xabi had to ask for reinforcements in this position for the club to move.
No need to cry or get an aneurysm folks, this is a transfer rumours thread: 🚨 JUST IN: Real Madrid’s LB list:• Álvaro Carreras• Milos Kerkez• Theo HernándezThere are also other names. @jfelixdiaz pic.twitter.com/QxtayUIQhx— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 12, 2025 ❗️Dean Huijsen is the main target for Real Madrid at center-back. Konaté is another target, and his contract renewal talks with Liverpool are stalling. Piero Hincapié is also well-known by Xabi Alonso.— @marca pic.twitter.com/IsiWkZiFnU— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) May 12, 2025
Their isn't much difference between the price Dean Huijsen and Piero Hincapié. But the first one is younger, Spanish and also taller(1.95 vs 1.84) and also as reported is the main target. so I can guesses that we are going to sign him. If Konte won't sign with an extension with Liverpool than we will bring him for free next summer.
This won't happen because of the links we're seeing to more attack-minded left backs, but if we're sticking to a back 4, I'd be happy to see us sign BOTH Huijsen and Hincapie. Hincapie is versatile and experienced both at CB and LB. With Trent on the other side, I wouldn't mind seeing Hincapie at LB alongside Huijsen. I think that would give us great balance defensively and give us another versatile player that could play on the left and centrally in the back line. He's 23 years old, just 1 year older than Carreras and 2 years older than Kerkez, plus he's been a starter at Leverkusen with Xabi for his entire stint.
I'd go Huijsen, Hato and Carreras for the defence in addition to TAA. Hato is a CB and LB Carreras at LB If you do that you can get rid of both Mendy and Fran, and still have enough LB depth. Apparently Bournemouth are interested in Fran.... could be part of the Huijsen deal? or happen simultaneously at least. We need to go pitch some players to the Saudi league: Ceballos, Mendy, Alaba, LV, Modric Time to freshen up the squad.
🚨🚨 BREAKING: Real Madrid are now CONFIDENT they are signing Dean Huijsen. @La_SER pic.twitter.com/v1QNgz9Gls— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 12, 2025
With how attack oriented Trent is, it makes sense to balance him with a fullback that is defensively oriented enough to play center back.
As a hypothetical exercise, who would the Real Madrid replacement be for each Leverkusen player if we played their system? Here’s my stab at it, assuming it’s a done deal that TAA is in and Rodrygo is out. Hradecky - Courtois (obviously) Tah - Rudiger Tapsoba - Asencio Hincapie - Mendy Xhaka - Arda Andrich - Valverde Frimpong - Camavinga Grimaldo - TAA Wirtz - Bellingham Adli - Vini Boniface - Mbappe Not sure where Tchouameni fits. Would he take Xhaka or Andrich’s role, or would he be part of the back 3 instead of Mendy? Could Carvajal play right center back behind right mid TAA, or would someone closer to a true center back be needed?
3 yrs left. We can get a hefty price for him. I personally thought he'd stay for another season and at least fight from the bench. Don't mind seeing him leave though.
I would not read a lot into the Rodrygo situation right now. I think it is reporters looking for a narrative to sell. With Carlo on the way out, it would make no sense for Rodrygo to suddenly refuse to play. Carlo has played Rodyrgo every chance he gets. Why piss off the one guy that has favored him repeatedly the last couple of years. Nevermind that Carlo is next Brazil coach. Rodrygo could very well move on once he talks with Xabi, but right now I consider most of this clickbait.