James Rodriguez Looks Every Bit Cristiano Ronaldo's Successor at Real Madrid

james & cristiano ronaldo

It was a celebration we'd seen often, James Rodriguez jogging toward the corner flag, elbow tucked in, finger formed like pistol pointing at the crowd. On previous occasions we'd seen the celebration performed with verve, but this time it was somewhat muted, coming in the middle of Real Madrid's mauling of Getafe in a game of little-to-no consequence on the season's final day.  

Yet, in this exhibition-like 90 minutes, the act preceding Rodriguez's celebration had stood out, leaving behind it a vivid image that felt like a forerunner for a future Real Madrid will soon face.

In the moments earlier the Colombian had stood over a free-kick, lining it up as though he was preparing to be the decoy. This was Cristiano Ronaldo territory after all. Ronaldo's domain. His area of authority. But Ronaldo then did the unexpected, pausing and clearing the way for Rodriguez. Appreciative, the 23-year-old curled it over the wall and past Jordi Codina with astonishing ease. Goal. Celebration.

Two team-mates, separated by seven years but connected by the Galactico tag, embraced.

At the time it felt symbolic, and with each day that passes it continues to do so. Ronaldo will soon need a successor at Real Madrid, someone to pass the torch to, someone to whom he can hand over the keys to the kingdom. Coming off a 61-goal season, the Portuguese isn't ready to do so just yet. But when he is, when the time comes, Rodriguez is waiting, primed to take them.

Overblown? Maybe. But consider the whole package; there's something to it.

james - celebrates his goal

At Real Madrid there must be a headline act—something or someone who can take Real's show of glamour to a place nearly all others can't. The headline act must be a cocktail of star power, worldwide appeal, good looks, marketing potential and a penchant for the spectacular. Rodriguez is, and has, all of those things. And he blends them together with an alluring silkiness.

He's an archetypal Real Madrid star.

If you were to put together a showreel of the Colombian's 2014-15 season, it would be as eye-catching as nearly any in Europe. There was his lashed volley from an absurd angle at Los Carmenes against Granada; his swerving, long-range thump at the Riazor against Deportivo La Coruna; his outrageous, first-time blast at the Bernabeu against Almeria; his dual one-two special at home against Malaga.

Naturally, the World Cup sensation's reel couldn't match the sheer volume of Ronaldo's, the dazzling feet of Lionel Messi's or the tenacious power of Luis Suarez's. But maybe only Messi could put together a more breathtaking visual package. On highlights alone, Rodriguez had nearly every player on the continent covered, accounting for practically half of Real Madrid's most memorable strikes on his own.

What's more, he did it in just his first season at one of Europe's behemoths. At 23. Following extreme scrutiny. Burdened by a £63 million price tag.

james - celebrates his goals with fans

When Ronaldo first made the switch to the Spanish capital from Manchester United in 2009, the Ballon d'Or winner totalled 33 goals and seven assists in his opening season, playing as the focal point of the club's attack. After joining from Monaco, Rodriguez tallied 17 and 16, respectively, his total contribution similar while operating as one third of a midfield three.

"The 3-in-1 James," Marca dubbed him, rejoicing in the way he "runs, scores and assists." On that occasion, the Madrid-based daily pictured Rodriguez in silvery-white armour, a purple cape on his back, a Superman logo splashed across his chest and a glow emanating from his outline.

"The Colombian cat arrived in a jungle with an overpopulation of midfielders and took no time to let roar," Marca added, and at other points labelled him "St. James," "James the jellifier," "James—the great Whites' hope" and most significantly, "King James," playing on the nickname of another worldwide phenomenon.

Marca, of course, has never been shy to anoint a star, but the regularity with which it did so last season was notable.

goal celebration

It's easy to see why, too. Aside from the output, there's both an industry and efficiency to Rodriguez's game that lends him perfectly to a football world that's becoming more analytical and data-driven by the week. Such qualities will also make him a hit at the hypercritical Bernabeu.

Whereas Gareth Bale has become a polarising figure in Chamartin because of a questionable defensive contribution, Rodriguez's willingness to put in a shift, as the saying goes, has endeared him to a fanbase very much accustomed to over-indulged footballing icons.

Prepared to track back, tackle, harass and scrap, Rodriguez's two-way commitment is indicative of that which is becoming increasing necessary for the game's leading players at a time when performances can be stripped to their bare bones by almost anyone owning a computer and a web browser.

Take this for example: According to WhoScored.com, Bale was significantly out-tackled by Rodriguez (26 to 40) in less minutes in La Liga last season, and needed almost double the shots (103 to 53) to score exactly the same number of goals (13).

That bodes well for Rodriguez as a new-age star, his efficiency already having a profound effect on the Real Madrid outfit he's still only new to.

james - the superman

Yet, what's most tantalising about Rodriguez's potential is the possibilities, the options, he will give to a team, a manager and a club in the coming years.

When he arrived in Madrid, he was exclusively a No. 10, a gifted technician who liked to sit behind the striker and manipulate a game with his dazzling left boot. Twelve months down the line, he's still that but also so much more. In 2014-15 he played on the left and the right; in central midfield and attacking midfield and as a wide forward. He was a roaring success in all of them; all that's left to show is an ability to play as a false nine and he's mastered the set. Thus, what Real Madrid are getting bundled with Rodriguez's precocious individual flair is systematic versatility as the Colombian gradually shifts toward the team's most prominent role.

That shift may be 12 months from completion. It could be 24. It could be more. What's clear is that it will need Ronaldo to step aside to allow it do so, and Ronaldo still has so much to offer Real Madrid.

But when the Portuguese is ready to hand over the keys to the kingdom, Rodriguez looks every bit his natural successor, the player ready to carry forward the Real Madrid star cocktail and give it a modern twist.

source: bleacherreport.com

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How Real Madrid Can Get the Best out of Isco in 2015-16 Season

isco alarcon

"Isco, Isco, Isco," was the chant that rang around the stands, the Bernabeu making it absolutely clear who had won its heart. From the notoriously hypercritical arena, it was a notable outpouring of adoration for the young Spaniard. But it was also more than that; it was the Bernabeu sending a message. 

That afternoon in Chamartin had been a divisive one. Real Madrid had defeated Espanyol, comfortably. But the mood was tense and uneasy following Real's consecutive defeats to Valencia and Atletico Madrid in the seven days prior. It was the day Cristiano Ronaldo fumed at Gareth Bale; the day the Bernabeu fumed at Gareth Bale. Even in triumph, it had been a day of whistling, jeering and dissatisfaction. Except in relation to Isco. 

"Isco has the Bernabeu at his feet," proclaimed Marca, stating the stadium's "love affair" with the 23-year-old was due to his willingness to cover "ground like a marathon runner" and put in "an effective shift defensively, all the while retaining his enviable creativity." Essentially, the Bernabeu, pointing at Isco's all-action display, was telling Bale and others it demands that. 

That sunny Saturday wasn't the first time the attacking midfielder had heard the famous ground bellow his name, either. After a sublime showing in the season's first Clasico against Barcelona—a game in which his furious running brought about Real Madrid's third and deciding goal—the same chant was heard when he was substituted late on for Asier Illarramendi. "Isco, Isco, Isco," roared the Real Madrid crowd, Marca saying he'd "worked his socks off." 

Never mind Ronaldo, Bale, Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez and Co.; Isco had become the darling of the Bernabeu.

isco alarcon 

But twists unfold at a rapid rate in the Spanish capital. By April, Marca was stating that manager Carlo Ancelotti and Isco were "at loggerheads." By May, the Madrid-based daily was describing the Andalusian's "tipsy-topsy season." And by the end of the campaign, Isco found himself exactly where he'd started it: on the bench.

"After so many months of playing everything and then out of the blue not even getting a game... How do I feel? I wouldn't say hurt, I'd say very unhappy," Isco said. "I thought I was doing a good job."

To almost everyone watching on, he had been. But the former Malaga star had become a victim of the subtle yet staggeringly influential brilliance of a team-mate—that of Luka Modric.

The Croatian's effect on Real Madrid from central midfield was extreme in 2014-15, and Isco, forced out of his natural position to cover Modric's injury-riddled absence, saw his stock take a hit because his game didn't allow him to replicate the metronomic and incisive midfield conduction belonging to his more experienced team-mate.

As we explained here at Bleacher Report:

"Whereas Isco is a player of dribbles, weaves, skips, shots and long runs, Modric's game is defined by its efficiency, the speed with which he moves the ball and his ability to render opposing formations helpless with one pass.

...

Essentially, without Modric, Real Madrid have more of the ball but do less with it. Their play becomes stagnant. The ball sticks to feet. Off-the-ball movement fades. Instead of pass, pass, pass, pass, shoot, it becomes: pass, dribble, pause, pass, stop, dribble. "

isco vs bilbao

Last season, Real Madrid had become so dependent on Modric's ultra-efficient distribution to find space that the prolonged use of the ball-carrying and dribble-happy Isco slowly ate away at the team's fluency. But that wasn't Isco's fault; it was the fault of the system and its fragile, delicate balance. And that is what Rafa Benitez needs to address in 2015-16.

After a year in which one player alone—Modric—defined the two halves of Los Blancos' season, Benitez needs to make this Real Madrid outfit a better all-rounder, one with less emphasis on the skills of a particular midfielder. The Madrilenian needs to give Real the tools to score and win in a multitude of ways—by controlling possession and counter-attacking; by carrying the ball and swiftly passing it; by sitting deep and staying high.

Such a task is far from straightforward, but it's necessary. The finest outfits package dynamism with variety, and Barcelona's ability to add a devastating, vertical edge to their possession-based method to capture a treble last season is a pertinent example.

A positive offshoot from creating a more diverse, multifaceted outfit is that Isco's suitability for Real Madrid will increase. At 23, he's undoubtedly capable of moulding himself into a midfielder suited to a crisp passing game a la Modric, but Madrid also don't want to lose his ball-carrying abilities, the threat he poses running at heavier-footed defenders and his relentless intensity.

His all-action game of runs, sidesteps, shots, skips and weaves can perfectly complement Real's powerful front three provided the team can condition itself to play with open expanses ahead of it and not just tight spaces. Remember, that is precisely what allowed him to thrive in the first Clasico of last season.

isco dribble

Additionally, most expect Benitez to do away with Ancelotti's hybrid 4-3-3/4-4-2 next season and deploy his trademark 4-2-3-1. Such a formation should benefit Isco; he was brought to the Bernabeu to play the No. 10 role in exactly that shape after all, before a 4-3-3 hinging on Angel Di Maria's talents was crafted.

way from the unique, pass-centric demands of central midfield, Isco should enjoy greater freedom either behind the striker or out wide in Benitez's 4-2-3-1. Instead of standing as one third of a midfield three, when used he'll be one quarter of an attacking four. That's a significant difference for a player who's a No. 10 by trade.

Thus, what Isco will hope is that a reworked Real Madrid will better cater for his strengths. And if that's the case, "Isco, Isco, Isco," will ring around the Bernabeu a whole lot more.

source: bleacherreport.com

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Why Lucas Vazquez Is the Forgotten Real Madrid Player Who Can Shine in 2015-16

Lucas Vazquez at Espanyol

This summer it was Casemiro, two summers earlier it was Daniel Carvajal and two before that it was Jose Callejon. In the not-too-distant future, it could be Alvaro Morata as well. Evidently, Real Madrid quite like a buy-back clause. 

The latest man to return to the Santiago Bernabeu in such circumstances, however, is the far lesser-known Lucas Vazquez.

Now 24, Vazquez is a product of Real Madrid's youth academy, having joined the club in 2007 as a 16-year-old. Part of Carlo Ancelotti's squad that toured the United States for last summer's pre-season campaign, the winger was then sent to Catalonia and spent the 2014-15 season on loan with Espanyol. In that deal, Real Madrid got exactly what they wanted: significant playing time for the forward and a negligible buy-back option of €1 million that they've now exercised. 

Under Sergio Gonzalez at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat, Vazquez enjoyed the sort of prominence he needed, starting 31 of Espanyol's 38 league games as a hard-working right-winger. In total, he scored four goals and tallied six assists in all competitions and finished eighth in La Liga for successful dribbles with 71, per WhoScored.com. Three of the seven names in front of him were Lionel Messi, Neymar and Isco. 

Lucas Vazquez at Espanyol vs Bilbao

Naturally, dribbling, trickery and hard-running form strong components of the Galician's game, but part of what will have appealed to new Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez is Vazquez's defensive commitment. Last season, the winger was second only to Victor Sanchez for total tackles at Espanyol, and he regularly demonstrated a willingness to track back and support his right-back.

Such a two-way capacity will have played a key role in his return to the Spanish capital, where Marca dubbed him the "the fearless rookie" because of his all-action playing style. The Madrid-based daily also labelled Vazquez "a strategic bargain" and "a pragmatic coup," remarking that he's following "in Callejon's footsteps."

For Real Madrid, the comparison with Callejon is a neat one, given he also spent time at Espanyol before returning to the Bernabeu to be an extremely useful secondary option in attack for Los Blancos. Vazquez, it's hoped, could prove to be something similar, a tireless and aggressive runner who might help shift the essence of this current Real Madrid outfit from precision to power.

Lucas Vazquez at Espanyol vs Atletico

Additionally, the club's recalling of a right-sided attacker might represent the clearest indication yet that Gareth Bale will switch to his preferred left wing, with Marca reporting last month that Bale is determined "to throw off the positional yoke" and move away from the right. Should the Welshman be allowed to do so, Benitez will likely position Cristiano Ronaldo at the head of the attack and play the more technical Isco or James Rodriguez down the right.

In that scenario, Vazquez becomes a back-up option of contrast on the right wing, with his preference for hugging the sideline differing from the cut-inside inclinations of Isco and Rodriguez—remember, when looking for secondary options, variety is the ingredient a manager desires.
Additionally, Benitez's expected introduction of substantial rotation throughout the XI should open the door for players such as Vazquez and Jese, the sort of back-up men whose games stagnated under Ancelotti's extremely consistent selection policy.

However, as noted by ESPN FC's Nicholas Rigg, there are some doubts as to whether the buy-back of Vazquez was fuelled by a need to protect Real Madrid against UEFA's homegrown player regulations for the Champions League:

"European football's governing body stipulates that clubs must have at least eight players in their 25-man squad who have been at the club for three years between the ages of 15-21, or have been at another club in the same association for that same amount of time.

At the moment, Madrid are fine with 10 players falling under those conditions. However, both Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have been linked with moves away from the club this summer and that would reduce the number to eight. Alvaro Arbeloa's future is also up in the air and that leaves Madrid in a dangerous position for the Champions League."

Lucas Vazquez at Real Madrid vs Inter Milan

Might concerns over that quota be behind the re-signing of the winger? Perhaps.

But wherever he's gone, Rafa Benitez has shown an eagerness to get hands-on with a club's academy and the talent it has produced, and with a history of working with the youth setup at Real Madrid, the Madrilenian understands the importance of maintaining a connection between the club's various tiers.

Vazquez appears to have benefitted from that. And if he's able to provide Los Blancos with some of what we saw at Espanyol, Real Madrid could benefit too.

source: bleacherreport.com

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What's the Outlook for Real Madrid Fringe Players Under Rafa Benitez in 2015-16?

Illaramendi & Jese

 It was January, a weary-looking Real Madrid had just been dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Atletico Madrid and a gruelling schedule was still to come. Los Blancos, who'd plateaued after their record-breaking ways of late 2014, needed a freshen-up.

The preferred XI from top to bottom appeared spent, run into the ground by a six-month stretch which for many had featured games in the World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, European qualifying and the Club World Cup. But still, manager Carlo Ancelotti stuck with the familiar, insisting squad rotation wasn't the answer.

"There is no need right now to do rotations, I think the team are fine," the Italian said after a 2-2 draw with Atletico at the Bernabeu that confirmed Real's exit from the cup.

Ancelotti's position was understandable to an extent, but it was also flawed. By season's end, fatigue was a major factor in Madrid's season of underachievement. A collection of players who'd been called upon too often, their tanks drained, couldn't summon the fire necessary to overcome Atletico, Valencia, Juventus and Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Among midfielders in La Liga, no one played more minutes than Toni Kroos. Among forwards, only Lionel Messi played more than Cristiano Ronaldo. At left-back, Marcelo was only behind Athletic Bilbao's Mikel Balenziaga. And when they were fit and available, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric always played.

All the while, fresh legs sat on the bench, the likes of Asier Illarramendi, Lucas Silva, Jese, Nacho, Sami Khedira, Fabio Coentrao, Javier Hernandez and Keylor Navas grossly under-used.

But will it be different under Rafa Benitez?

As the former Napoli boss closed in on the manager position at the Santiago Bernabeu, Marca described the essence of his coaching in a telling manner: "Benitez is methodical. He is all about order. Tactics. Organisation. Devising solutions. Videos. Statistics. Control"—essentially, a list of things that had become areas of criticism for Ancelotti. Such traits, however, should benefit those on the fringe of the first XI in Chamartin.

Rafa Benitez

Benitez is a known rotator. He's used the concept everywhere he's been: Valencia, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli. To the Madrilenian, rotation means fresh legs, active minds and tactical awareness. On his personal website, there's even a blog post explaining the importance of squad rotation that delves into running intensity and distance covered under the effects of fatigue. That's the mentality he's bringing to the Bernabeu.

At Real Madrid, it's likely Benitez's desire to rotate will be seen most often in midfield. Under Ancelotti, Real's hybrid 4-4-2/4-3-3 was heavy on attacking and creative talents, with Kroos, Rodriguez, Modric and Isco regularly crammed into the lineup. But Benitez is expected to change that, with his preference for a 4-2-3-1 likely to give the team's midfield a very different dynamic.

In the double pivot or the "two," the 55-year-old—particularly against stronger opposition—may look to use a more traditional midfield anchor alongside Kroos. As explained this week, such a role could be filled by a new face, with Lucas Biglia and Radja Nainggolan representing possible options. But Benitez might also turn to those already at the Bernabeu—the likes of Illarramendi, Silva and Casemiro. In certain situations, he might even use two of them together.

It's why such men may feature considerably more often in 2015-16: Benitez will likely look to utilise different combinations depending upon the opponent, with Real Madrid possessing the options to deploy both attack-heavy and conservative central groupings.

Lucas Silva

Such a situation, with players chosen for specific matchups, may not apply to the same extent at the back or up front. Settled back fours are the hallmark of strong defensive units, and the star-studded attack is suitable for almost every opposing outfit. However, fatigue prevention could still drive rotation at certain times in those positions.

For instance, when Real Madrid were dumped out of the Copa del Rey in January, the club had the perfect opportunity to rest its stars for the high-profile clashes that would come from February onward. Following the second leg at the Bernabeu were league meetings with Getafe, Cordoba and Real Sociedad. All three were won, but all three featured Real's best possible lineup available at the time. In the two months that followed, Los Blancos lost to Atletico, Athletic Bilbao, Schalke and Barcelona, and also dropped points at home to Villarreal.

Benitez, a manager who fusses over fatigue and injury prevention, is unlikely to repeat that. When low-key clashes against Spain's lesser teams arrive (particularly when sandwiched between bigger games), Jese, Nacho, Coentrao and maybe even Denis Cheryshev could see significant playing time. The lesser-used men in the likely positional battles—Pepe or Raphael Varane; Daniel Carvajal or Danilo—could do too. Whereas Ancelotti spread his XI thin, as Marca put it, Benitez, with his managerial history, has shown he's more inclined to use the full depth of a squad.

For those on the fringes of the XI, Benitez's methods should prove beneficial.

source: bleacherreport.com

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Who is Danilo? Profile of Real Madrid's €31.5 million signing

Danilo in Brasil jersey

Real Madrid have already started their summer spending by dropping £23million on Porto defender Danilo.

The Brazilian join the La Liga giants in the summer, but what do we need to know about the 23-year-old?

What is Danilo's background?

Born in Bicas in 1991, Danilo started at Belo Horizonte-based side America Mineiro, winning the Campeonato Brasileno de Serie C (third tier) title before joining Santos in 2010.

Full name Danilo Luiz da Silva, he was reportedly "inseperabale" from Neymar at Santos, and scored the decisive goal from central midfield in the 2-1 win against Penarol in the 2011 Copa Libertadores final.

Porto decided to splash out 13m euros for Danilo in January 2012, and at the time was the club's second most expensive signing ever.

He won the Under-20 World Cup with Brazil in 2011, and was part of the Brazil team that won the silver medal at London 2012.

Danilo was given his full Brazil debut in 2011, and has 13 caps since, playing in the 1-0 win over Chile on Sunday.

Danilo in Porto

Why have Real decided to splash the cash?

This season at Porto Danilo has played 34 times, registering four goals and four assists. In total he has played 134 times, scoring 10 goals.

The energetic right-back loves to get forward, and can also play in the middle if required. He has previously said: “I am most happy playing in the middle of the park. I like to play close to the goal.”
After Porto sold Fernando to Manchester City last summer, he said: “It could be an opportunity to play in midfield.”

Likened to Barcelona right-back and fellow Brazilian Dani Alves in the past, Real Madrid describe Danilo as "a right-back who covers a lot of ground, quick, technical and hits the ball well. These qualities are enhanced by a spectacular physique, making him a danger in attack.”

High praise indeed... what have others said about him?

His current Porto coach, Julen Lopetegui, told AS: “This year he has wanted to learn how to improve in all of the aspects of play, in the tactics, in the physical [side of things], in concentration. This individual improvement has helped the team grow collectively.”

And Brazil coach Dunga compared the full-back to another Brazilian: “His way of playing infects the others. He has physical strength that impresses, a bit like Maicon. He does not stop running and always seems fresh.”

Dani Carvajal - Real Madrid current first-choice right back

How will this effect the current right-backs?

The underperforming Alvaro Arbeloa was replaced by Dani Carvajal in Real's starting XI for the 2012/13 season, and has since been linked with a move back to the Premier League after leaving Liverpool in 2009.

Carvajal, also 23, may not automatically lose his place to the Brazilian next season. The Spaniard has put in a string of decent performances for Real and the move is seen as competition rather than a straight replacement.

source: skysports.com

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De Gea-Ramos transfer saga

David De Gea - Sergio Ramos

Ed Woodward and Florentino Perez, men who are at the helm of two of the biggest clubs in the world, are going to war. Real Madrid want Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, the heir to Iker Casillas in the Spanish national team. Manchester United won’t budge. They want a reasonable fee for a player who’s running into the last year of his contract or Sergio Ramos.

Ramos’ contract expires in 2017 but he wants a pay rise. Real Madrid don’t want to pay the money, United will oblige. The stage is set for both of these men to try and not emerge as the loser when the transfer window shuts. 

Should Manchester United keep or sell De Gea?

It all started with De Gea’s excellent form in 2014/15 attracting Madrid’s attention. Calls for a contract extension started in December, and now it seems out of question. He rejected a £200K-per-week contract making it clear he does not want to stay for money. The only two options for United were either to sell him this season or make him run down the final year of his contract.

A successful European campaign next season backed by De Gea’s assured presence in goal could earn United as much as much as £30m just by qualifying for the Champions League group stage. Add to that, BT Sports’ new £897m for their three-year package rights to show the Champions League is double the previous deal Sky had in place. A deep run into the competition would be well worth keeping De Gea and letting him go for free if Madrid cannot pay the demanded price.

Ed Woodward

However, United would be reluctant to keep an unhappy player for a whole season. De Gea would also not be motivated on the field considering his move to Madrid would be secured anyway. Also, United may want to sign someone like Hugo Lloris who would probably not want to move anywhere else after arriving here and stay here as long as he can, like Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel before him.

Why Ramos wants to leave Madrid

Sergio Ramos’ situation, on the other hand, has exploded all of a sudden. Woodward has unsettled Madrid like no one has in quite some time. Ramos is an absolute fan favourite at the Santiago Bernebeu and Perez selling him would hurt the fans more than the sales of Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria and the sacking of La Decima winning coach Carlo Ancelotti. The player wants €10m a year and Madrid are only offering €7.5m. United won’t mind paying what Ramos asks.

Ramos’ blood probably still runs white. And why shouldn’t it? He’s the most adored player at the most successful club in Europe. However, as has been the case with players who have left before him, Ramos has felt underappreciated and a target of Perez’s media propaganda which puts the players in the bad light.

Perez’s mouthpieces in the Spanish media have already branded Ramos as a money-grabber. And now reports from Spain suggest that Ramos is only interested in a move to Old Trafford.

Florentino Perez

Perez normally gets what he wants, even if it takes time. He has made proper use of the stature of the club in the transfer window to make sure the club attracts all the stars and sells worldwide. However, Woodward is not one who will meekly surrender to Perez. Woodward still remembers how Madrid made it so difficult for United to sign Di Maria last summer, which ultimately led to the Red Devils paying well more than what he was worth.

What’s the best way forward for United and Madrid?

De Gea and Ramos are not the only variables in the equation. Players like Bernd Leno and Nicholas Otamendi could affect the deal as well.

United were heavily linked with Otamendi, however, his €50m release clause and Ramos’ contract situation have put the rumours on hold. Leno is Madrid’s supposed plan B should they not be able to iron out a deal with United, who could buy him as a replacement. Madrid were also linked with Otamendi, but his agent says that a deal would be announced before Ramos leaves.

A swap looks like the best way to end this battle, although both men would try and get both the players involved to play for their respective clubs, but the most unlikely. Madrid’s very high valuation of Ramos seems too much even according to United’s standards. United may as well keep De Gea and look for younger alternatives rather than spend €60m on a 29-year old defender.

Madrid, however, will make sure they don’t end this window with an unhappy player and a declining Iker Casillas.

source: (sportskeeda.com)

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Gareth Bale will define his Real Madrid career under Rafa Benitez in 2015-16

When Carlo Ancelotti was presented as Real Madrid manager in the summer of 2013, the Spanish media nicknamed him "the fixer." A man to come in and pour cold water over the fires started by his predecessor Jose Mourinho. Those fires have long since burned out, but there is still some fixing to do in order for the 10-time European champions to be fully functional again.

The Italian's calm and tranquil approach, one that brought a "family" atmosphere to the Madrid camp, has left a lasting impression with few problems for Rafa Benitez, his successor, to deal with. Benitez still has one thing to fix at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, and he goes by the name of Gareth Bale.

Gareth Bale - Rafa Benitez

Twelve months ago the former Tottenham Hotspur man had enjoyed a dream first campaign in Spain. Not only had he produced an impressive return of 21 goals and 16 assists across La Liga and the Champions League, he had scored big goals at crucial times. His stunning winner in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona was a personal highlight and his campaign got better with a decisive goal in the Champions League final. He had hit the big time and succeeded.

A year on and the Welshman has suffered more than his fair share of the infamous Bernabeu booing and looked set for an early exit from the Spanish capital under the spotlight of plenty of fan and media pressure. Manchester United looked prepared to offer the jet-heeled attacker a way back to his comfort zone of the Premier League and Madrid would receive a huge chunk of the £86 million they paid for the player just two years ago.

Reports suggested Bale had clashed with talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, and his lack of the Spanish language left him distant from the rest of the team. The most expensive player in the world had seemingly gone from hero to villain in less than 12 months and the only way seemed to be the highway. Real Madrid had chewed him up and looked set to spit him back out. He would not have been the first and he would not be the last.

Bale has always had at least one supporter throughout, however, and he is the only man he needs support from. Madrid president Florentino Perez is not ready to give up on his most expensive Galactico and that will ensure he gets at least another season to get it right at Madrid. Next season is set to be Bale's most important yet -- for club and country.

Benitez has been charged with winning trophies at Madrid, but he has also been charged with getting Bale up alongside the likes of Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. That was the idea from the start, but it hasn't quite worked out that way. Perez has kept faith and part of the reason he picked Benitez to succeed Ancelotti was the former Liverpool and Valencia coach's desire to take Bale to the top.

It may have been as much through convenience as necessity that Benitez traveled to watch Bale feature for Wales in the Euro 2016 qualifying match against Belgium last Friday, but it also spoke volumes. The 55-year-old is known for his attention to detail, and although he has a family home not too far from Cardiff, his visit to see his most expensive player score the winner in a crucial victory over Belgium tied in well with reports that he is to make Bale the central figure of his new-look Madrid.

Bale - Benitez

The pair spoke in the hotel before the match and it seemingly buoyed Bale, who helped send Wales closer to a first appearance in a major international tournament for 58 years. He scored the winner and coach Chris Coleman poured praise on his talisman for leaving nothing on the pitch. Bale gave his all not only for his country but for his new club coach watching on from the stands.

Benitez may have made time to watch as many of his new charges in action for their nations as possible over the weekend, including seeing Cristiano Ronaldo notch his third hat trick in as many matches, but his personal visit to see Bale not only on the pitch but before the match in the Wales camp was telling.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher revealed his former coach did the same before taking control at Anfield and the move rubbed off well on him, Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen -- three pillars of the team at the time. Perez and Madrid fans will hope Benitez's visit to see Bale will have a similar positive impact for the forthcoming campaign. It certainly made an immediate impression.

Benitez will have noted how Bale was given a role without limits for his country and how the team made him the central figure of their attacks -- with success to match. That same freedom may not be offered to him at the Bernabeu, especially with a much stronger squad around him including a certain 61-goal Ronaldo, but it should help free him from a role out on the right that he has not complained about publicly but that has not suited him for the most part.

Gareth Bale celebrates his goal

Ancelotti's favoured 4-3-3 is set to be scrapped for a 4-2-3-1 lineup under the Spaniard, and that could result in a starting role out on the left or further in the centre for the 25-year-old. Indeed, Benitez's desire for rotations could see Bale play across the attack, including the No. 9 role, and that could help him and the team. Plenty will depend on Ronaldo's desire, or lack of it, to play centrally, but the indications are that Benitez will give more weight to the Welshman.

Bale's recuperation will be a subplot to the ultimate aim of winning everything Madrid compete for this season, but it is not an entirely new role for Benitez. During his short stint at Chelsea, owner Roman Abramovich took the failing form of Fernando Torres into account when making Benitez an unpopular appointment at Stamford Bridge. Torres was another big-money signing struggling, albeit at a more alarming level than Bale, and Benitez at least lifted him from the disastrous levels he had encountered on swapping Liverpool for London.

Benitez's task will not only be to get Bale feeling comfortable in a position on the pitch, but it will be to get his teammates to fully trust him and to get him more integral in the squad both on and off the pitch. The Welshman has been too reliant on his old Spurs teammate Luka Modric in the past, and it was no coincidence that Bale struggled this term with the Croatian on the sidelines through injury for a vast period of the campaign.

As a player, Bale is expected to get more one-on-one time with Benitez, and that too should only help. His new coach's attention to detail will not go unnoticed, and although it may not sit too popular with some, that detail should be perfect for a player who is striving desperately not to be a flash in the pan in the Spanish capital.

Bale, too, will need to put in his fair share of hard work. Benitez is expected to ask more of him defensively, as with the rest of the squad, and while players such as James Rodriguez and Isco succumbed to the team demands of Ancelotti, Bale often looked lackadaisical in his defensive duties. That aspect will have to improve and Benitez will try to get that out of him.

Next season will be a huge test for both Bale and Benitez, but if the new Madrid coach can get the best from the Welshman, and keep the harmony among his star names, silverware should not be absent come the end of it. With Bale possibly leading Wales in Euro 2016, the next campaign could define the Madrid man as more than just the most expensive player on the planet.

Gareth Bale

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