REAL MADRID STAR DEFENDER'S RECOVERY SLOWER THAN EXPECTED
Real Madrid face an anxious wait over defender Dean Huijsen's fitness for El Clásico against Barcelona. His calf injury recovery is slower than expected, adding to Los Blancos' defensive crisis.
With questions surrounding the availability of another of their centre-backs, Dean Huijsen, for this month's El Clásico, Real Madrid's injury problems, particularly in their backline, seem to be the norm.
On October 26 at Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos will play their bitter rivals, Barcelona, for the first time this season.
The forthcoming Clásico is more important for Los Blancos to win because Real Madrid were unable to win any of them during the season.
Ferland Mendy has only returned to training following a long-term injury, while Los Blancos head coach Xabi Alonso is already without Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dani Carvajal because of their individual muscular problems.
Since Huijsen sustained a microtear in his left soleus muscle during Real Madrid's match against Villarreal earlier this month, questions have also been raised about his fitness. The 20-year-old played full-time despite the discomfort.
Due to muscle weariness, Huijsen left Spain's national team training camp and started a rigorous rehabilitation programme under Madrid's medical staff, according to Diario AS.
According to reports, Huijsen's recuperation has gone more slowly than anticipated, despite the fact that he was originally predicted to be out for 12 to 15 days, with a possible return occurring right before the Clasico.
In spite of the Clásico's importance, Real Madrid must exercise caution and patience about Hujisen's injury to avoid a setback that would prolong his absence from the pitch, given their defence's injury woes.
What will happen to Real Madrid and Dean Hujisen next?
According to reports, Hujisen has been working long hours at the training facility for his physiotherapy and gym activities, taking brief pauses to keep his mental health in check.
Whether the Spanish defender can fully recuperate and play against Barcelona is still up in the air.
Real Madrid will welcome Juventus at Santiago Bernabéu for their third Champions League match of the season on October 22 after playing Getafe in La Liga on Sunday at Coliseum Stadium.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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