Federico Valverde of Real Madrid
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
The fight between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde in training last season made the headlines for a long time, and understandably so given how it was only the latest development in a long list of turmoil unfolding at Real Madrid at the time.
In the aftermath of the fight, word began to spread that one of the two players would leave the club in the summer and that it was unlikely that they would continue working together.
Aurelien Tchouameni, on that front, was widely linked with a departure, with Manchester United being particularly interested in the move. Eventually, however, he agreed a renewal and opted to stay.
Now, as reported by MARCA, he was not the only player who had offers on the table in the summer, and the Uruguayan midfielder also faced a very similar situation.
Multiple proposals rejected
Indeed, as conveyed by the Spanish outlet, Valverde had multiple proposals on his table in recent months to leave Real Madrid and try his luck at another club.
Federico Valvarede, Real Madrid player
Valverde will look to impress Mourinho early on. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
The new first-captain, however, instantly shut the door and refused to leave the men in white and did not even consider the possibility at any point in time.
After all, Valverde has been loyal to Real Madrid from the get-go and remains an important piece in midfield, especially at a time when the department appears to be the weak link in the team.
Uncertainty for Mourinho
There is word that Valverde is set to start the first league game of the season for Real Madrid this weekend against Espanyol and that he will feature in the double pivot alongside Bernardo Silva.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
The new manager has his doubts. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
Concurrently, however, some reports suggest that Mourinho continues to remain relatively unsure about what the Uruguayan star’s best position on the field is in his dynamics.
The new manager sees Valverde as an option to play in midfield, on the wing and also at right-back, but does not have him at the top of his pecking order for any position.
After all, the Portuguese tactician prefers the likes of Tchouameni and Silva in defensive midfield, Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield, Yan Diomande on the wing and Denzel Dumfries at right-back.
For Valverde to have a starting spot regularly, one of the aforementioned players will have to move out of the lineup.
Daniel Yáñez of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid have a number of talented players coming through Castilla who may not have a place in the first team.
Even though Los Blancos have not been a club who have trusted the academy too much for their first team, they have always made good money from selling such prospects.
One such Castilla prospect who could be sold this summer is Daniel Yanez. According to Ben Fernandes, the 19-year-old is attracting interest from clubs in Italy and Belgium.
Several teams, whose names have not been revealed, have knocked on Yanez’s door, although there have been no significant advances towards a transfer thus far.
The important point for now is that Yanez has a market. At this stage, however, none of the interest seems to have materialised into negotiations.
Daniel Yáñez of Real Madrid
Clubs interested in Yanez. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Yanez is a young player who needs regular game time and could choose to move elsewhere to ensure minutes at a higher level.
At Real Madrid, it is almost impossible to break into the team as an attacker, and an exit will have to ensue sooner rather than later.
For Real Madrid, the next step is likely to depend on how much first-team involvement Yanez can realistically expect.
Jose Mourinho has already used several academy players during pre-season, including the teenager, but opportunities will naturally become harder to come by once the competitive season is fully underway and the senior squad settles.
That creates the familiar question for many La Fabrica prospects: stay close to the first team and wait for opportunities, or leave in search of regular senior minutes.
A move to Italy or Belgium could offer that second path. There is also precedent.
Dani Yanez, Real Madrid player
What next for Yanez? (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The likes of Nico Paz have moved away from Madrid and successfully established themselves, which should inspire Yanez to make a similar choice.
No rush for now
With no advanced talks yet, the club can continue assessing Yanez while interested teams determine how serious they are prepared to become.
The good thing for Real Madrid is that they are not under pressure to make a decision on the teenager.
The club could choose to keep him in Castilla for the upcoming season, with opportunities to train with the first team on occasion.
This would give them another 12 months to judge his potential and development, and let Mourinho make an informed call.
If one of the Italian or Belgian clubs step up their interest, though, Los Blancos have a decision to make, and it remains to be seen how Yanez’s immediate future pans out.