Real Madrid identify 'next big goal' as Xabi Alonso prioritises Toni Kroos replacement
Still want a new midfielder to replace Toni Kroos
Are closely monitoring Spain star
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Los Blancos have already splashed out on Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono this summer to strengthen the squad but still have the financial might to spend big once again, according to Diario AS. The club's "next big goal" is to bring in a player who can replace Kroos in the heart of the midfield, with Manchester CIty star Rodri very much still the favourite option.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Real Madrid have also looked at Nicolo Barella, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister but have been put off all three as they are all under long-term contracts. Meanwhile, Rodri's deal at Manchester City expires in 2027, giving Madrid hope they can tempt him away from the Etihad Stadium
TELL ME MORE....
Real Madrid are closely monitoring Rodri's situation but remain wary due to his recent serious knee injury that saw the Spain star sidelined for nine months. Rodri also suffered a fresh setback at the Club World Cup, meaning Los Blancos may be forced to wait to make any move for the midfielder.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kroos has readily admitted that Madrid have failed to replace him adequately. He said earlier this summer, via Mundo Deportivo: "They're still missing a profile like mine, they're still looking for it. There aren't many players like that, and the ones that are there aren't easy to get."
WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID
Real Madrid players are enduring a break after their Club World Cup exploits. Alonso's side are due to kick off their La Liga campaign on August 19th against Osasuna.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Osasuna boss slams controversial penalty call following Real Madrid defeat
Osasuna boss slams controversial penalty call following Real Madrid defeat originally appeared on The Sporting News Real Madrid kick-started the La Liga 2025/26 campaign with a 1-0 win over Osasuna on Tuesday as Kylian Mbappe scored the solitary goal of the match from the penalty spot. While Los Blancos were better than their counterparts on each and every metric, Osasuna did exceptional well in holding fort and not conceding a goal until the 51st minute when Juan Cruz handed a penalty to the hosts after bringing down Mbappe in the penalty box. At first, it seemed like a legitimate penalty decision as Mbappe stepped up and scored from the spot. However, later there were questions on whether it was a clear penalty or not. Osasuna manager Alessio Lisci has also slammed the match referee and questioned VAR officials for not checking the penalty call as replays highlighted Mbappe stepping on the Osasuna defender first, before he catches the Frenchman. 'I thought it was a clear penalty in person, but looking at it closely, you have to analyze whether Mbappe first stepped on Juan or whether Juan hit Mbappé with his right foot. It seems to me that Mbappe first hooked Juan. There is no penalty,' Lisci explained to Diario AS. Osasuna were not happy with the penalty decision, and neither were they impressed with Abel Bretones' sending off late in injury time as they criticized both calls on their official X account. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp What did Xabi Alonso say after the win over Osasuna? Following the win, Alonso hailed the new signings as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen started for Real Madrid with Franco Mastantuono making a late introduction from the bench. Foto: Divulgação/Real Madrid "[The new signings] were good, everyone has landed on their feet, " Alonso told Real Madrid TV. "Those who played at the Club World Cup, and Franco [Mastantuono], who made his debut today, are players we'll have here for years. Neither the shirt nor being at the Bernabéu weighed on them." "They did well, maybe not spectacular, but they were serious. There was no mistakes or nerves," Alonso added in his post-match conference. "There are positives, starting with the result. After two weeks of training, against a team that had a longer preseason, things were missing. There were good things, and other things to improve. It's a long road." Despite Real Madrid coming out as victors against Osasuna, fans were critical of Los Blancos as they have high expectations from Alonso, especially after last season where they couldn't land a single major trophy under Carlo Ancelotti. Real Madrid news and related links Xabi Alonso's two-word update 'ends' Rodrygo to Man City link Jude Bellingham shoulder injury: When Real Madrid star will be back after surgery following Club World Cup Luis de la Fuente issues stark warning to Real Madrid star over Spain selection
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze free-kick controversially ruled out in goalless derby
Chelsea made an underwhelming start to the Premier League season as Crystal Palace ground out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. After a truncated pre-season following victory in the Club World Cup, everything pointed to a Chelsea side lacking both preparation and rest as Oliver Glasner's team coped relative easily with a new-look yet disjointed attack. Eberechi Eze started for Palace despite speculation he is about to leave and, if there were doubts about how supporters felt about the player whose goal won them the FA Cup in May, they were dispelled when he was substituted to a standing ovation late on. The England international provided the game with its only major talking point, lashing in a brilliant free-kick in the first half that was ruled out after Marc Guehi obstructed Chelsea's wall, drawing a furious response from Palace fans. As expected, Nicolas Jackson was not in Enzo Maresca's squad after being made surplus to requirements, with Newcastle considering a bid, while Joao Pedro was preferred at number nine to fellow new signing Liam Delap. Chelsea were playing 35 days after their win over Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final in the United States and showed signs of mental fatigue in a first-half display low on creativity. Marc Cucurella had the first of their only two chances, his near-post header looping towards the far corner where it was nodded off the line by the leaping Ismaila Sarr. Eze looked to have obliged the headline writers after 15 minutes with an unstoppable free-kick that flew through the middle of the Chelsea wall and in, only for a VAR check to reveal Guehi had unfairly forced Moises Caicedo out of the ball's path. Moments later Jean-Philippe Mateta broke into the box but shot too close to Robert Sanchez, who bounced the effort to safety. There was little worthy of home fans' enthusiasm in attack in the first half, but they showed raucous appreciation for a wonderfully-timed, full-blooded tackle on Daniel Munoz by 19-year-old Josh Acheampong, making a third Premier League start in central defence, with Levi Colwill a long-term absentee and Wesley Fofana not risked. With Maresca having been told to seek internal solutions to his lack of defensive options, the academy graduate staked a convincing claim for regular game time with a display of maturity and fulsome grit that was warmly received by an otherwise subdued crowd. The best Chelsea chance of the half fell to Trevoh Chalobah, who fired high from eight yards after good work from debutant Jamie Gittens. Estevao Willian was sent on in the 53rd minute for a debut and, with his first action, annihilated Guehi in a foot race down the right before crossing brilliantly for Enzo Fernandez, who failed to make good contact. The Brazil international, still only 18 despite the hype surrounding his arrival from Palmeiras, betrayed his inexperience minutes later when striking wildly over the bar when off balance before being booked for lunging at Munoz. Eze was again almost the story when he drilled at goal and brought a two-handed save from Sanchez, then at the other end substitute Delap shot straight at Dean Henderson.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Watch: Kylian Mbappé debuts new celebration after Real Madrid winner vs Osasuna
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé unveiled a new goal celebration, in the aftermath of notching the decisive goal in his side's meeting with Osasuna. Real are of course fresh off kicking the club's 2025/26 campaign into gear on Tuesday evening. Afforded a delayed start to the campaign owing to their efforts at the Club World Cup this summer, Los Blancos welcomed the aforementioned Osasuna to Spain's capital for a La Liga clash. And when all was said and done, it was the aforementioned Kylian Mbappé who proved himself the game's decisive figure. After winning a 2nd-half penalty for his side, the Frenchman dusted himself down, before converting the only goal of the game from 12 yards. And as alluded to above, in the aftermath of as much, Mbappé showed off a trademark new celebration. Taking his place in front of the TV cameras at the Santiago Bernabéu, the 26-year-old created the motion of wiping tears away from his eyes. Check out footage of the celebration below: Conor Laird – GSFN
