After winning the Club World Cup, Real Madrid are now preparing for the most important part of the season. In just over a month, the fate of the entire season may be decided: in LaLiga they are already 11 points behind FC Barcelona, and in the near future they will play a derby with Atletico or go to Camp Nou for a match against the leader. They will also face two two-legged matches – in the Copa del Rey they will again face Barca in El Clasico and in the Champions League with Liverpool.
Modric’s future depends on the decision of Kroos and the transfer of Bellingham
Meanwhile, in the offices at the Santiago Bernabeu, work is already underway on planning and developing the squad for next season. The main problem concerns two of the three “Royal” legends, whose contracts end on June 30 and whose situation is completely different. The future of Karim Benzema is the least discussed. The captain of the Spanish champions will be offered a one-year contract. The Frenchman is still a key player in Carlo Ancelotti’s deck but has only played 59 per cent of his minutes this season due to muscle injuries. Despite this, he scored 14 goals and recorded 4 assists in 22 games.
The case of Toni Kroos is definitely more complicated. The German is only 33 years old, but he is already considering the possibility of retiring at the end of the season, and the club is waiting for his decision. “I’m thinking about what to do next season, I’m in contact with the club. There is no decision at the moment, but it won’t be long. I play a lot and I think I can still help the team – he was enigmatic after the last triumph in the Club World Cup. Kroos is the third player with the most minutes at Real Madrid this season. He only missed one game due to infection.
The most special is the case of Luka Modric. At the age of 37 – he will turn 38 in September – he has played 29 games this season, 21 of which in the starting lineup. He missed only two games due to muscle discomfort. The Croatian would like to stay for another year and is waiting for a move from the club. The “Royals” are delaying this because they first want to know if a transfer to Jude Bellingham will be real in the summer.
In the coming weeks, the future of the Englishman is to be resolved, who has to decide – transfer to Madrid or return to his homeland and play in the Premier League. Real realize they cannot compete economically with Manchester City, United or PSG – these clubs are willing to pay €130m for Bellingham. However, according to “Marca”, at the Bernabeu they believe that the magic of Real Madrid and 14 Champions League cups will work again.
What is very certain in Real Madrid’s personnel policy is that if an Englishman goes to the club, he must indisputably play in the first team. Then, with Kroos remaining for another year, there will be no place in the frame for Luka Modric.
Source: Sport.PL
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
