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neymar

Neymar has made it loud and clear that he wants out of PSG just two years after he joined from Barcelona for nearly £200 million. The champion of France went as far as to stop selling shirts with his name on. It seems like it’s only a matter of time before Neymar gets deployed to another club.

As of now, it’s a two-team race between Barcelona and Real Madrid. One thing that favours Real Madrid is that Neymar doesn’t care whether he goes to Barcelona or Real – he just wants to leave PSG.

Since it’s now known that Paul Pogba won’t be joining Real Madrid, Florentino Perez will have to focus completely on Neymar’s arrival. Perez has a strong relationship with PSG, something which can’t be said for Barcelona and their Parisian rivals. Also, Leonardo would have to offer at least one other player to increase the overall value of the operation.

This is where Real Madrid has the edge, as they have far more appealing players to offer than their La Liga arch-rivals. There’s a long way to go, but it seems that Neymar is gravitating towards Real Madrid. But how many players would Perez have to give up to get the Brasilian superstar? And will it be enough to challenge Barcelona and Atletico in La Liga or make some noise in the CL? Keep reading our expert analysis to find out!

Neymar and Real Madrid – A Match Made in Heaven?

Signing Eden Hazard keeps the dream of winning the Champions League trophy alive. Hazard is a constant threat, whether operating from the left flank or as a support striker to Karim Benzema and Luka Jovic.

How would Neymar fit alongside Hazard remains a mystery, but one thing is for sure – Neymar would provide Real Madrid with unique qualities the team desperately needs. He would certainly turn them into top contenders not only in La Liga but also in the Champions League.

In the La Liga outright odds, Real Madrid is a 6/4 favourite to win the title in fansbet, just behind Barcelona (2/3). In our opinion, the bookmakers have greatly overestimated the Spanish Giant, but if they somehow manage to land Neymar, then everything is possible. Our advice is to find a reliable bookmaker with solid betting offers and wait until the summer transfer deadline closes. If Neymar signs for Real Madrid, then the 6/4 on offer is definitely worth a punt.

Zidane Going Through a Rough Patch

Real is a 29/20 favourite to win the 2019/20 La Liga trophy, which only goes to show that there is a huge gap between the top two teams in Spain at the moment. Zidane is under a lot of pressure lately; he doesn’t seem to have an idea about his strongest starting 11 or preferred tactical approach. He’s still trying to figure out his best line-up after the club made plenty of signings this summer. Zizou even experimented with the 3-5-2 formation, which is something he hasn’t employed previously.

This hasn’t been a great summer for Zidane who was frustrated by the failure to find a new home for Gareth Bale or lure Paul Pogba from Manchester United. Despite his previous successes, many people are starting to question his coaching ability and tactical nous, especially during the transitional period. Whatever the case, all of these questions will be answered in the next couple of months.

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The Real Madrid transfer market this summer is very difficult to understand as we analyzed recently, but the most hard part to picture to work is the midfield. Los Blancos got rid of some talented players and the wanted one, Paul Pogba, didn’t arrive finally. Nor Pogba neither Van de Beek or Eriksen, perfect reinforcements for the midfield. And Zidane might have a problem during the season.

Right now there are only four poor midfielders in the squad: Casemiro, Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. James Rodríguez or Isco could also play there, although it would depend on the formation. If it’s a 4-3-3, they should in the past that they could play there, but it would be harder with a 4-4-2, the formation tried in Villarreal in the last game.

We have to get the fingers crossed hoping that none of them get injured during the season, especially Casemiro, because no one else can do his job. Valverde will be his replacement, but is still unsure whether the Uruguayan can help there, or replacing Toni Kroos. It’s even uncertain if he has the level to play at Real Madrid, but we will find out during the season.

Meanwhile, Dani Ceballos is shining with Arsenal and the Spanish national team. In the new manager’s debut, Robert Moreno, against Romania, the Andalusian player gave an stunning assist to Jordi Alba. Something very rare to see right now how he moved his ankle. In the start of the season, he is also doing well with Arsenal, despite the poor results obtained by the gunners so far.

We know that Zidane is not really fond of Ceballos, but given the circumstances, he would have had a spot in the starting eleven this season, especially if he keeps his level. This is actually his main problem, because last season he had many opportunities, especially with Lopetegui, but he got lost. He played some good games, and then the injury problems and his ups and downs ended up with Ceballos on the bench. However, he played 23 games in La Liga, 13 of them from the start. Not bad numbers at all. He was the 14th player with more minutes in La Liga.

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The summer transfer window is closed and Real Madrid supporters are not happy with Florentino Pérez’s management. Six signings made this summer, but the promises of big names in the midfield or even Neymar make this effort quite poor. Besides, some youngsters left the club, whereas other veterans showing bad level are still in the squad.

Zinedine Zidane arrived at the end of last season speaking about a revolution. And the start of the summer seemed that this was going to be real. Three months later, there is no revolution and the veterans are still leading this team, with Gareth Bale as a star and James Rodríguez as one of the most important signings. Both were in the market, according to the manager.

Among the six signings, only Hazard has a spot in the line-up. The others are still a big question mark: Eder Militao, Luka Jovic, Alphonse Areola, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo. Besides, the Japanese Kubo, who shocked everybody in the US tour, was given on loan to Mallorca.

If we write about the players leaving Madrid, there were also some surprises. Marcos Llorente was sold to Atlético de Madrid for €30M, and Dani Ceballos was given on loan to Arsenal. Sergio Reguilón also left the club on loan to Sevilla. Besides, Keylor Navas was sold to PSG the last day of the transfer market. Kovacic, Theo Hernández or Raúl de Tomás were sold cashing €85M.

However, the big surprises also arrived because some players weren’t sold. Gareth Bale or James Rodríguez were in the market, and even Zizou said in the US tour that the Welshman should be sold as soon as possible. Now he’s the best player of the team in the start of the season. Besides, other players really criticized during last season like Marcelo, Isco or Toni Kroos remain in the squad.

The supporters are also disappointed because they waited some other new faces, especially in the midfield. Zidane insisted on Paul Pogba, but it was impossible to get the Frenchman out of Manchester. Van de Beek or Eriksen could have been the alternatives, but Los Blancos didn’t sign them at the end, and now the squad is really short on midfielders.

Hopefully the time gives the reason to Florentino Pérez and Zinedine Zidane, but it’s difficult to be optimistic in the start of September.

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Real Madrid and PSG agreed a deal to exchange Keylor Navas and Alphonse Areola. The Costa Rican goalkeeper signed a three years deal with the French team, whereas Los Blancos get the world champions on loan for one year, waiting for Andryi Lunin, who should be Courtois’ replacement next season.

Keylor Navas wanted to leave Madrid after talking with Zinedine Zidane at the beginning of the summer and realized that he was going to be Courtois substitute. The Costa Rican player couldn’t allow another season on the bench, like the last one. However, he didn’t want to lose money and not many teams were able to assume his salary. And one of them was PSG.

For this reason, Keylor and PSG talked at the beginning of the summer, but the deal froze and it seemed that the Costa Rican goalkeeper was going to stay in Madrid. Real Madrid gave Lunin on loan to Valladolid and the two goalkeepers available were Courtois and Navas. But everything changed last week, when PSG were again interested in Keylor.

Now Navas leaves the club after winning three Champions League with a key role. The goalkeeper is one of the beloved players by the supporters and Real Madrid lose again quality with this deal. Alphonse Areola, World Champion in Russia, will be his substitute this season.

Most of his colleagues wish Keylor Navas luck for his new adventure. It’s sure that Keylor Navas closed a stage in his life where he won titles, fame and love. His team mates, his coach and the supporters will miss him. A professional inside and outside the football pitch. PSG sign a great goalkeeper for the next three years.

Meanwhile, this is the only deal made in the deadline day of the summer transfer window. There was no bomb for Los Blancos, who didn’t sign any other midfielder. Besides, Mariano Díaz finally stays in the club, and these are not bad news at all, given the fact that Real Madrid have a lack of goal.

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Another disappointing performances ended up with a draw (2-2) in a difficult venue like Estadio de la Cerámica against Villarreal. Gareth Bale with a brace saved the team to be punished with the first defeat of the season. Los Blancos are now 4 points away from the top of the table, Atlético de Madrid, the only club getting the 9 points.

Zinedine Zidane looks a bit lost and we cannot understand his changes and the line-up. This time, he tried with two strikers -Jovic and Benzema-, whereas Luka Modric was on the bench even if he didn’t play against Valladolid one week ago. Lucas Vázquez and Mendy were also a surprise in the line-up. And the changes didn’t work.

Villarreal took control of the game in the first half, with Santi Cazorla reigning in the midfield. Casemiro and Kroos weren’t able to hold the team and Villarreal had the possession and they hit first. It was thanks to Sergio Ramos, who committed another big mistake, and Gerard Moreno didn’t miss after a save made by Courtois.

Los Blancos took their time to bounce back, but they didn’t at the end of the first half. First was Benzema, with a shoot hitting the post, and then Gareth Bale, who scored the draw in the injury time after a good collective play, with Carvajal and Jovic as protagonists. Things improved in the second half, with Los Blancos taking the control, but Andrés Fernández saved a couple of good chances created by Toni Kroos.

It was time for the changes, and Zidane put Vinicius and Modric on the pitch. But also Calleja introduced Ontiveros and Anguissa, and they took the advantage in the scoreboard. In their only chance of the second half, Moi Gómez tapped in a cross by Ontiveros in the 75th minute. At least, Los Blancos could react and Gareth Bale scored a great goal to give Real Madrid a point. It could be a victory, but the referee and the VAR didn’t see a penalty committed by Albiol on Vinicius Junior.

Only five points in three games in the start of the season. Now it’s time for the international break and to work in the future of the team. There are many things to improve and many players injured, so there is room for hope. However, Zidane needs to know what he wants about his team.

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Champions Leaguetrophy_GI

Monaco held the UEFA ceremony and the draw of the group stage in the next Champions League 2019/20. Real Madrid will play in the Group A together with PSG, Brugges and Galatasaray, so Los Blancos cannot feel sad with the draw. Besides, Virgil Van Dijk was awarded as the best player of the last season, whereas Messi won the best forward.

Real Madrid will play the first game of this group stage in Paris against PSG on the 18th of September, in the toughest clash in this round. Their last game will be in Belgium against Brugge. In between, Los Blancos will travel to Turkey on the 22nd of October, whereas Mbappé will visit the Bernabéu stadium on the 26th of November.

Los Blancos will face again the tough Parisian team. Last time they played against each other was two seasons ago in the Last 16 round, when Real Madrid beat PSG despite not being favourites. Under Benítez management, Los Blancos and the French team were also drawn in the same group, and that time Real Madrid won at Bernabéu and drew in the Parc des Princes.

In normal conditions, Zidane’s men won’t have any trouble to go through the knockout stages because Galatasaray or Brugges have less level. The Turkish champion has started quite bad their league, although they have some good players like Steven Nzonzi, Emre Mor, Sophiane Feghouli and they are in talks to sign Radamel Falcao.

Club Brugge should be the weakest team in the group, although they will fight to get the third spot and go directly to the Europa League knockout stage. The Belgian champion has some famous players in their squad like former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, or Federico Ricca, who played in La Liga with Malaga.

Anyway, Los Blancos can be happy with the draw, especially thinking that the Spanish teams had worse luck. Barcelona will face Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Slavia Praga, whereas Atlético de Madrid will play again against Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow. Valencia should struggle with Chelsea, Ajax and Lille.

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FC Barcelona are very close to sign Neymar Jr. according to some Catalan executives, who travelled to Paris to negotiate with PSG. The Brazilian is willing to go back to Barcelona despite leaving the club in a very bad way and sue them for unpaid contracts. Now everything looks forgotten except for the supporters, who are reluctant to take him on board again.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have withdrawn from the bid and according to some journalists, Los Blancos will not hire any other player in this summer transfer window. This fact also leaves and unpleasant feeling in the supporters, who expected a renovation in their squad after a terrible season, but Zidane is still playing with the same footballers who defend the t-shirt four years ago.

Florentino Pérez insists in the risks of bringing Neymar to Real Madrid. The same financial risk is mentioned when Zidane insists in signing Paul Pogba. Meanwhile, Los Blancos need some power in the midfield, but Eriksen, Van den Beek or Pogba don’t sign a contract with Real Madrid, and the squad losses quality.

We are unsure if this is Florentino Pérez or Zidane’s fault, but the supporters aren’t happy with the current situation. James Rodríguez or Gareth Bale seemed out of the team, and now are two of the stars in this squad, with only one shining star: Eden Hazard. The rest of the signings will struggle to find a spot in the line-up, with Marcelo, Toni Kroos or Luka Modric, heavily criticized last year, with their position secured.

The situation gets even worse if Barcelona end up signing Neymar. In the same transfer window, the Catalan rivals would tie up Griezmann, Neymar and De Jong, three of the first footballers of the world, after winning La Liga last season very comfortably. Can Real Madrid compete La Liga with the current squad? It’s still very early to answer, but probably this is ‘no’.

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Real Madrid have started the season with a victory away at Balaídos and a disappointing draw against Valladolid on Saturday evening. Before the international break, Los Blancos have to play at La Cerámica against Villarreal, always a tough opponent. We can go to the break with 7 points, a good amount of points, but there are still many doubts in the team.

The striker

It looks like Karim Benzema is the only one able to score goals in this team, and this is dangerous. Last season Los Blancos had many dependency from the Frenchman, and no one else in the team was able to score frequently. Jovic, Hazard, Bale or James Rodríguez should be able to add some nets, but so far Benzema is the only reliable one.

New signings

In these first two games, we saw nothing from the new signings. Eden Hazard suffered an inconvenient injury just before the game against Celta de Vigo, whereas Mendy is also ko for muscular problems. Militao has to wait on the bench because Varane and Ramos are the owners of the defence, whereas Jovic has showed little in the minutes he has enjoyed.

Youngsters

Seems that Zidane is not very happy with the young players. Kubo was given on loan to Mallorca, whereas Rodrygo has to wait his opportunity with Castilla and seems very unlikely to see him with the first squad. Supporters are more concern about Vinicius situation. The Brazilians looks less fresh than the past season and doesn’t count with Zidane’s trust so far. This should change.

The veterans

After the terrible season we saw last year, there were many players that needed to step forward. Isco was one of the footballers to blame, but his performance was also terrible on Saturday. Marcelo or Kroos seem better than last season, but we need more time to judge. Also Gareth Bale should come up with the leadership we are still waiting.

The manager

Zidane looks a bit lost. He’s making strange decisions during the summer and he’s still unable to display a good performance with the team. He spoke about a renovation in the team, but Real Madrid ended up playing on Saturday with the same players as four seasons ago, with Ancelotti, with the exception of the goalkeeper. What are his plans?

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Real Madrid couldn’t start the season with victory at Santiago Bernabéu (1-1) against Valladolid despite the support of the supporters. This is a new blow for Los Blancos after the good victory away at Balaídos in the first game of La Liga. Again, the team was nervous and made some key mistakes that prevent them to get the three points.

Zinedine Zidane surprised with his line-up giving opportunities to Isco Alarcón and James Rodríguez, starting a game again with Real Madrid three years after. Also Gareth Bale was on the pitch, and he created some good chances, although the best player was again Karim Benzema, the leader of this team nowadays.

In the first time Los Blancos actually played quite well. Valladolid tried to defend close to their goalkeeper, leaving less spaces to the playmakers. James Rodríguez did a pretty decent job, but we can’t say the same about Isco Alarcón, whose performances are really poor and we have to ask ourselves why he’s not in the market. Despite the troubles, Bale, James Rodríguez or Benzema could score before the half-time but the goal didn’t arrive.

And with the past of the minutes, the supporters were getting more nervous. Zidane put Jovic on the pitch, and the Serbian headed a ball to the bar, close to score his first goal with the white t-shirt. We had to wait until the 82nd minute to see the first goal of the game, thanks to a great movement by Karim Benzema, and an excellent shot from outside the box. It looks like the game was going to end there, but Real Madrid were unable to freeze the game and gave Valladolid a chance. Sergi Guardiola, in the 89th minute, didn’t miss it, and he nailed a very valuable point for Valladolid, a team fighting to avoid relegation.

The season at Bernabéu doesn’t start well, and it didn’t end it well against Betis only three months ago. Now Los Blancos travel to Villarreal in another tough game before the international break. It’s mandatory to get the three points to go back to the winning track. And some signings are needed.

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With 10 days left in the summer transfer window, many unknown questions remain uncertain at Real Madrid. The first one is the possible signing of Neymar Jr, but now there is another bigger problem. The Spanish newspaper Marca informs that Keylor Navas has asked the club to leave Madrid this summer for the lack of opportunities. A new replacement has to be found as soon as possible.

Keylor Navas is really respected both from the club and the supporters. The goalkeeper is now a legend at Real Madrid after winning three Champions League with a decisive role in all of them. The Costa Rican player wanted to remain in Madrid, where he is very happy, but he doesn’t want another season on the bench, and therefore he has asked now to leave the club because Courtois is the owner of the goal.

Navas thought he could fight with the Belgian player and he’s training at his best, but Zinedine Zidane has sent clear signs that Courtois will be his goalkeeper. Even if Navas is still showing his quality when he has the chance -he did a masterclass against Tottenham Hotspur this summer-, the Costa Rican has now realized that he will be on the bench, so he has to look for alternatives.

The club is keen to listen to him, so they want allow him to leave if a good offer arrives for both parties. According to L’Equipe, Real Madrid had included Navas in the deal to get Neymar -together with Bale and James Rodríguez-, but PSG had refused that bid. With Areola as a rival, Paris could be a good destination for Navas, able still to defend the best European clubs.

If Navas finally leaves Madrid, Los Blancos need to find a replacement as soon as possible. Luca Zidane was sent on loan to Racing de Santander, whereas Andreiy Lunin was also given on loan to Valladolid. The Ukrainian goalkeeper is the chosen one for defending the goal in the future, but he’s now tied with Valladolid. The idea would be signing a veteran goalkeeper, with great experience and able to cope with the bench. A similar case that happened in the past with Diego López. He would be signed only for one year, because Lunin should be the second goalkeeper next season.

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