Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that three senior Real Madrid stars will leave at the end of the season, and two reports have shared a shocking update on Kylian Mbappe and his future in Spain, according to football365.com.
Mourinho Returns to Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho is the manager Florentino Perez has entrusted with putting Real Madrid back at the summit of European football. Yesterday, Romano confirmed the return of the former Chelsea manager to the club. The Portuguese, 63, has agreed an initial two-year deal, and the hope within Real Madrid is that the 'Special One' has the charisma, personality and gravitas to manage the giant egos in the dressing room.
Three Senior Stars to Leave
However, according to transfer guru Romano, Mourinho will have to embark on that formidable task without the aid of a trio of senior stars in the dressing room. He confirmed that all three of Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Dani Ceballos are leaving at season's end. Carvajal is Real's captain, and his departure via free agency has also been confirmed on Real Madrid's official website. Alaba too is leaving on a free, while Ceballos will be sold, given he has a year remaining on his current deal. On the subject of where Ceballos might go, Romano named three clubs as potential landing spots – Marseille, Real Betis and Ajax.
Mbappe's Future in Doubt
Mbappe's arrival in the Spanish capital was supposed to yield an unprecedented era of dominance at Real Madrid, which is saying something given the standards that the club have set during their history. However, despite Mbappe scoring 85 goals in two years, Real Madrid have been dominated by Barcelona on the domestic scene, with Hansi Flick's side recently wrapping up their second LaLiga title in a row. Even more frustrating for Real Madrid is their regression in the Champions League, which, in truth, is the only competition they really care about winning. Los Blancos had won two of the previous three Champions Leagues prior to Mbappe's arrival from PSG. Since signing, Real have not made it past the quarter-finals, and PSG won the lot last year and have advanced all the way to the final again this year.
Reports Claim Mbappe No Longer Untouchable
But Mbappe leaving Real Madrid while scoring for fun and in his prime would ordinarily be unthinkable. However, reports from both AS and L'Equipe have now claimed Mbappe is no longer viewed as untouchable by Real Madrid's hierarchy. AS claimed Mbappe could be booted out if his disruptive behaviour continues, just like club legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos were before him. L'Equipe claimed senior executives at Real are now questioning Mbappe's signing and harbour serious doubts as to whether he and Vinicius Jr can actually play together. Of course, Real will still win more than they lose when the two forwards are in the same line-up. But at Real Madrid, second place is first loser, and if they are not winning the Champions League, they are not happy. As it stands, Real look a million miles off winning Europe's top competition, with the collective lack of effort from Mbappe and Vinicius when Real are out of possession causing all manner of problems for their overwhelmed teammates.
