Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius Jr. has been one of Real Madrid’s most disappointing players this season by some distance, and he has shown no signs of returning to his best.
The Brazilian star has scored just one goal in Real Madrid’s seven games this season and has not maintained the same level of attacking threat that he is classically associated with.
In fact, his dribbles now carry far less importance, and Real Madrid have found several other attacking outlets. For the first time in years, his place in the starting lineup is beginning to be called into doubt.
Vinicius will start at the weekend
Real Madrid are set for their biggest domestic game so far this weekend when they lock horns against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. Needless to say, the manager will have to deploy his strongest available XI on the night.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius will start vs Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
As reported by AS now, Vinicius continues to have Jose Mourinho’s immediate trust and will not be benched for the derby despite his poor form.
All signs point to the Brazilian winger starting against Los Rojiblancos, and he will look to make a strong impact.
With Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe living up to their billing, the pressure is on Vinicius to start delivering.
After all, Real Madrid’s performances have not been great this season, and he could end up as the scapegoat when an eventual slump arrives given his poor contributions.
Competition is silently arriving
Yan Diomande, Real Madrid player
Diomande can play on the left. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
Vinicius’ performance against Elche midweek was disastrous, and the player missed two big chances and hit the target just once.
He was taken off in the 68th minute, and Yan Diomande moved over to the left flank to provide cover. His display in the position was decent, but it opens up the door to dangerous territory for Vinicius.
If Diomande can make the most of his chances on the left, Mourinho will be presented with a serious option of starting him, Arda Guler, Bellingham and Mbappe, all together in attack.
Given Vinicius’ form, dropping him will not hurt half as much as fans expect at the moment, and the Brazilian winger does not have long to turn his situation around.
Thomas Tuchel, England coach
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Jude Bellingham’s performances at Real Madrid have gone a step higher than what the player showcased last season, and it is scary to imagine how much better the player can get with experience.
So far this season, the Englishman has been one of the team’s most influential presences on the field alongside Kylian Mbappe, and he has already racked up three goals and two assists across all competitions.
Under Jose Mourinho, he has well and truly blossomed as the manager has deployed him in his most comfortable niche on the field.
Back in the attacking midfield after a topsy-turvy run last season, the numbers and results speak for themselves.
In fact, he has been completely on song for a long time now and is simply riding the momentum he created during the FIFA World Cup where he was England’s best player and one of the top performers of the event as a whole.
Tuchel praises Bellingham
Jude Bellingham, England and Real Madrid player
Bellingham was unstoppable at the World Cup. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
England national team manager Thomas Tuchel showered praise on the Real Madrid star in a documentary released by the English FA, and spoke specifically about how the player performed unbelievably well at the FIFA World Cup.
“He was one of the players of the tournament, not only for us, but of the whole tournament,” he said, as quoted by Sky Sports.
He also praised the player for his potential and fighting spirit on the field, something that is rare to come by in today’s day and age of the sport.
“He lived up to his full potential, you could just see what a competitor, what a machine he is.”
Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid player
One of Real Madrid’s best players so far. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Explaining what makes the Real Madrid midfielder different compared to others, the national team coach highlighted Bellingham’s ability to play under pressure as if it were non-existent.
“He just thrives on the pressure. He just loves these moments, he loves these stages, it brings out the very best.”
He also related the same to how the player exceeded expectations at the World Cup and how his desire to shine came through.
“He came with an amazing mindset into camp, with the best physical preparation. He came fresh, he came hungry, hungry for football, hungry for minutes into camp. He took his place and decided every single match for us.”