How Much Better Can We Get? - The Transfers, Rumors & Lies Thread

Saviola during his short prime at River and Barca had a good reputation like Alvarez today. Gaspart put too much pressure when Barca signed him by claiming he'd do better than Zidane at RM.

His graph went down after a good first season at Barca when you expect the opposite from a young player coming from South America. Probably wasn't strong enough mentally despite the talent.

 

It's a bit strange how you're picking on Endrick out of nowhere and for no reason whatsoever. It was a very difficult season for most of our players, and an exceptionally hard season to join the club as an 18-year old (you can say it's bad judgment, but that's a different discussion). I think it's better to be a bit more reserved in your criticism, as he's yet to be provided with the opportunity to show himself – it's just way too soon to write him off, which you seemingly are leaning towards.

In terms of outstanding traits: I'd say his left foot is undebiable and can develop into a very dangerous weapon, both in terms of long range shots and finishing ability.

 

Endrick is 19. It's too early to make any call on him.

 

His criticism is perfectly fine. What's wrong with you? People are entitled to their opinions about players. There's no need to hold back or be reserved. These are public figures who are paid well to take this kind of heat from the public.

Players are becoming more and more important as teenagers. This is not 2006 anymore. Young players being put under immense pressure is normal.

 

You don't think Endrick has the "spark" of a good shot for his age? I heavily disagree.

 

Yeah, agreed. His left foot is very promising. But again, it's all so early, I really can't be too harsh on him yet. It was a difficult season for the majority of our players. And maybe a loan may do him well, maybe not. I don't know. I really want to see whether Xabi has a clear plan with him first.

 

Meh, I think every one of us have thoughts about players and where they'll end up. For me, I don't think Arda will succeed here. Just seems a bit too timid. I could be 100% wrong in 3 years though. I was about Rodrygo who I thought would be better than Vini.

This is controversial but I also am not really that impressed with Dean. I know he is 20 and could be the next Ramos in 5 yrs for all I know but for some reason, I don't see him succeeding here in the long run as a 1st choice CB.

 

Eh, it's perfectly fine to challenge each other's opinions. He doesn't see what's special about the player, I think a bit more context is required in assessing the player. Is everything OK with you?

 

You're right. Good response. I'm good!

 

Do people actually see Rodrygo as some kind of bust? Hasn't he been here 5/6 years winning 2 CLs In that time? What RW has done more for his club han rodrygo in the last 6 years? Nobody, that's who. If he left today he is leaving a very accomplished RM player.

He was never gonna or is gonna outshine or displace vini. But between the two I would keep rodrygo with the team we have.

 

He disappears for most of the season. I'm grateful for his contributions, but sometimes it feels like we are playing with 10 men because he simply becomes a ghost.

 

Fair. I'd still keep him and see what he can do on the left.

 

The scouting sucks. Or maybe our development sucks. It's one of the other I guess.

 

🚨 NEW: Xabi Alonso is VERY close to Rodrygo.

The coach doesn't leave the Brazilian's side. He shows him a lot of love, he always asks him how he's doing, and he PUSHES him REALLY hard in training, to which Rodrygo is responding very well.

Rodrygo now feels incredibly motivated… pic.twitter.com/fW3XRDOUGX

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 17, 2025

Xabi Alonso is VERY close to Rodrygo.

The coach doesn't leave the Brazilian's side. He shows him a lot of love, he always asks him how he's doing, and he PUSHES him REALLY hard in training, to which Rodrygo is responding very well.

Rodrygo now feels incredibly motivated to perform at his best level for Xabi. @MarioCortegana

🚨 Xabi Alonso: "Rodrygo? I can tell you up to a point. I know what had happened. The end of the season wasn't easy for him. He took some time to reset. We've talked since day one, and I see him eager to contribute on the field and enjoy himself. We've talked about it, we've… pic.twitter.com/71nfafGywO

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) June 17, 2025

Xabi Alonso: "Rodrygo? I can tell you up to a point. I know what had happened. The end of the season wasn't easy for him. He took some time to reset. We've talked since day one, and I see him eager to contribute on the field and enjoy himself. We've talked about it, we've shared it, and now we have to put it into practice."

 

Its easier to get excited about a dribbler than an off ball player. Endrick will come good, he is hungry for goals and has good movement and great shooting. Saviola was lighter and that was a problem for him.

 

Endrik shooting from outside the box with mbappe and vinni wide open and scoring prob wasn't to your standards but Endrik gas also shown moments of brilliance

 

I don't know how true this is but I wouldn't be surprised if Rodrygo starts the CWC and season strong then fizzles off like he normally does.

 

Endrick has a good shot and showed good off the movement in some games he started like CDR semis both games vs Real Sociedad.

He needs to get rid of tunnel vision if he's to succeed at the highest level. If 18 year old Raul or Cesc claimed they'd watched and learned from videos of past greats, people would buy it because they had feel for the game at that age which Endrick clearly lacks.

Endrick came off as wannabe when he claimed he's a student of the game learning from Di Stefano, Bobby videos while showing the tunnel vision of Duelofeu on the pitch.

He was getting decent minutes at start of the season and scored a good goal in La Liga and another in CL from 40 yards out with GK doing badly.

What got him benched was trying it again from 40 yards out in Madrid derby ignoring a pass for Jude to set up 1v1. Proved costly as Atleti had a late equalizer after that.

 

I will say, we played our best last year when it was Rodrygo on the left and Belli playing next to him and and Mbappe. There's definitely some good chemistry there that isn't there with last year's version of Vini.

I just don't trust Rodrygo to put together more than two months of impactful football.

 

I'll be happy for him to prove me wrong but I've never seen the standout skill with Endrick either other than that he has a cannon for a left foot, which is certainly something but unless he can get himself into positions to make it useful that's about all I've seen from him. I think my posting record on him has always been fairly skeptical.