Alaba had similar offers from PSG and PL. Apart from VVD, "one of the best CB" during then is subjective. Ramos was past his prime, City starting CBs Stones/Laporte used to get benched the following year. Alaba was very good in Flick's system where his ability to build from the back was crucial. So he was in high demand as free agent in 2021.
The Brazilians are officially back 🇧🇷💎 pic.twitter.com/UhPXIidHjN— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 1, 2024
Yea, so what? This transfer will only be remembered for the chair celebration. That's his contribution to the club.
He had an absolutely excellent first season in which he contributed to our success. I don't know what you're talking about.
Joan Martínez in training with Vinícius. pic.twitter.com/qO8ggxfkHw— Real Madrid Fabrica (@FabricaMadrid) August 1, 2024 Jacobo Ramón in training vs Endrick. pic.twitter.com/4hc0Hh3kNC— Real Madrid Fabrica (@FabricaMadrid) August 1, 2024 I hope Jacobo Ramón gets some minutes against Barcelona. I'm really looking forward to seeing him in action with the first team. I suppose he didn't play against Milan because he only had one training session with the group. pic.twitter.com/23eqgoHN6G— Real Madrid Fabrica (@FabricaMadrid) August 1, 2024
Endrick calling Arda Güler "Ardazinho". 😂🧡 pic.twitter.com/eycm0JpJYH— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 1, 2024
So Joan Martinez. Very impressive. Had the chance to see him up close in some of these training sessions. He has a towering presence to him. A bit of swag too. Can't explain it. The club is *very* high on him. Whether he is ready now or not is a different subject, but as a…— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) August 1, 2024
I don't expect a single thing from those young players which is the best way to go about it. The youth department should be a reliable addition not the foundation. If one of them works out it's great, if they don't they shouldn't be viewed as failures.
Some training vids: Hilo con varios highlights del entrenamiento del Real Madrid, ya con Vinicius y Militão que llegaron hoy. Disparo de Rodrygo al palo. pic.twitter.com/C7UaL6bHlr— Fran (@FJRealMadridCF) August 1, 2024 Recuperación de Joan Martínez vs Latasa. pic.twitter.com/5cL86DOc60— Fran (@FJRealMadridCF) August 1, 2024 Gol de Endrick. pic.twitter.com/VQ2lz17ztL— Fran (@FJRealMadridCF) August 1, 2024 Disparo al palo de Endrick. pic.twitter.com/pZjWxJEaLw— Fran (@FJRealMadridCF) August 1, 2024 Ocasión doble de Arda Güler y buenas paradas de Fran González. pic.twitter.com/p15V5oFYny— Fran (@FJRealMadridCF) August 1, 2024
These come around once every 30 years. Fran Garcia is a home player. Don't see too much support for him here.
Managing Madrid guys said Fran always plays at a frantic pace when you watch him live. He's talented but would do him good to slow down a bit, look up rather than put in that first time cross always. I agree. Calming down a bit can help Fran's career at RM. Lucas has that temperament and that's why all the RM coaches counted on him.
🚨 Everyone at Real Madrid has been amazed by Arda Güler's physical transformation and above all, they highlight his desire to learn and his change of attitude. @marca pic.twitter.com/Q6oSuptjrE— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 2, 2024 🚨 Antonio Pintus has created a plan to get Kylian Mbappé ready in the best possible way for the UEFA Super Cup Final in just a week. @relevo pic.twitter.com/q7EadHccpQ— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 2, 2024
He contributed in the team needing to pull off incredible comebacks. He should hand over half that's seasons salary to Courtois.
We needed comeback at Bernabéu vs City last season, in both Bayern games as well. Maybe keeping clean sheets and winning isn't RM way. You also deal with the best attacks in CL. Juve had their BBC defense hype because of them keeping MSN Barca scoreless for 180 mins. RM toyed with them in the final. That's how hard it is for the defense at the highest level. We had Pepe, Ramos, Varane, Militao, Alaba, Rudiger and Nacho as starters at various points during our CL golden era. Quality drop off will only be noticed if we have to depend on defenders from a different tier like many rich clubs do (Chelsea, Utd to name a few). Even Tchouameni looked the part at CB as makeshift option because his height, athleticsm and ability to build from the back.
❗️Predicted XI vs Barcelona: Courtois, Lucas, Militão, Rüdiger, Fran García;Luka Modric, Mario Martín, Ceballos;Rodrygo, Endrick, Vini Jr.@marca pic.twitter.com/iSTImMfZhQ— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 2, 2024
It may just be the players available, but its definitely looking like a 4-3-3 formation will be the default formation which is what I expected. Carlo will probably pull out the diamond in big games where necessary.
❗️Rüdiger tackled Latasa and sent him down in pain. pic.twitter.com/nngHaymdsK— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) August 2, 2024 Rudiger bodying
Joan Martinez tackling and winning the ball from Vini. This kid is special man. pic.twitter.com/WnMTIJKIVx— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) August 1, 2024 Vini please take it easy on Joan Martinez 😭😭pic.twitter.com/YM2arIps52— Kay | Snapchat & IG Ads (@KayRMFC) August 1, 2024 Joan Martinez vs Vini again. Love seeing these battles. pic.twitter.com/CvRYerkfGH— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) August 2, 2024
🚨 Arda Güler is currently playing as RIGHT MIDFIELDER in training. pic.twitter.com/U5s4AGhaGn— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 2, 2024 Exciting times Valverde would be excellent as a LCM and would be very needed there with both Vini and Mbappe doing little defensive work 🚨 Carlo Ancelotti is currently trying this XI on training;Courtois;Vazquez, Militão, Rüdiger, Fran;Arda Güler, Modrić, Ceballos;Brahim, Endrick, Rodrygo.— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) August 2, 2024
Joan Martínez 🆚 Vinícius Jr 🔥👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/ErC4phFPkR— REAL MADRID FANS 🤍 (@AdriRM33) August 2, 2024
🚨 Real Madrid expected XI vs. Barcelona:Courtois;Lucas, Rüdiger, Militão, Fran;Modric, Ceballos;Brahim, Güler, Rodrygo;Endrick. @relevo pic.twitter.com/0Cz15hWRVh— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 2, 2024
If we can’t find solid rotation players for the first team from our academy I’d consider the overall adventure a failure on our part. For me, one of the necessities of an elite youth programme like ours should be to find at least the Lucas Vazquez’s, Nacho’s of the world because they’re very very much needed in the first team.