Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
According to a report from Bernabeu Digital, Antonio Rudiger could be entering the final months of his time at Real Madrid.
The German centre-back recently extended his contract with the club by one additional season following a period of negotiations, but he now appears set to bring his spell at the Santiago Bernabéu to an end next summer.
His renewal earlier this year was signed until 2027, and the current situation suggests that there is no intention to extend the agreement again once the season comes to an end.
A final season under Mourinho?
Rudiger remains part of a defence that has undergone significant changes over the past few transfer windows.
Real Madrid have brought in players such as Ibrahima Konate, who has forged a partnership with Dean Huijsen, who has rediscovered his form under Jose Mourinho.
Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Rudiger’s last season? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Rudiger, meanwhile, is approaching the season with a different role to the one he had in previous campaigns.
His experience, character and leadership remain important qualities within the dressing room, but competition for places has increased considerably following the arrival of new centre-backs.
So far, he has played only 216 minutes this season, starting two matches. With Eder Militao close to returning from injury, competition will further increase.
Furthermore, Real Madrid are already tracking the market for further defensive reinforcements next year.
Mourinho already wanted another centre-back this past summer but Raul Asencio’s failed exit meant nobody was signed.
Finn Jeltsch of VfB Stuttgart
Real Madrid are tracking Finn Jeltsch. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
However, the club remain on the lookout for players, with German starlet Finn Jeltsch being closely monitored.
This could be indicative that Rudiger’s time at the club could be coming to an end once his current contract runs out.
For Mourinho, having Rudiger available provides an experienced option with extensive knowledge of the club and the know-how of playing in high-pressure matches.
However, he will turn 34 years old before the end of the season, and come the end of the season, when his contract expires, Real Madrid could decide to part ways with the seasoned campaigner.
Atletico Madrid’s Alex Baena hits out at Mourinho for post-derby outburst: ‘Not knowing how to lose’
Alex Baena of Atletico Madrid
Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
The narrative after the Madrid derby just before the international break was one centred around the performance of the referee and not of either of the teams that played on the night.
There is no doubt that the match official made calls which directly affected Real Madrid’s outcome and may even have cost Los Blancos the game on the night.
Yet, one cannot defend the team as they played well until they went a man down. The fact of the matter remains that they were second-best for most of the game and did not look interested in attacking in the slightest.
After the game, Jose Mourinho came out to face the media with printouts of the incidents where decisions went against his side and turned the narrative towards the refereeing.
There is, however, a need for serious introspection from Real Madrid’s perspective as well.
Atletico Madrid star hits out at Mourinho
Speaking to the media via AS while on international duty, Atletico Madrid star Alex Baena was asked about the aftermath of the Madrid derby, particularly Jose Mourinho’s fiery post-game press conference.
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Baena was critical of Mourinho’s reaction. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
The player made a strong statement in that regard, calling out the Real Madrid manager for making a big fuss out of the situation.
“He complained because he lost,” he began.
“If it had happened the other way around, we wouldn’t talk so much about this controversy of the referees and it’s what always happens, that when Madrid loses against Atlético they try to look for other things and not focus on them,” he added.
Baena then went on to call Mourinho’s reaction a ‘tantrum’, especially the incident of him bringing printouts of the incidents to the press conference.
“A tantrum? Yes, it may seem like it to me, the show with the printouts seems to me to be a tantrum and not knowing how to lose.”
An early deficit
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Serious introspection is needed. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Still in the early stages of the new season, Real Madrid are already six points behind Barcelona after the defeats to Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, and their start to the new season is far from what they would have hoped for.
The Catalans are flying in fine form and are yet to drop a point across all competitions. For Real Madrid to make a comeback from this point, needless to say, will require a great improvement in level and consistency.
Jose Mourinho and Co., thus, have a busy few weeks ahead of them as they must. look back on where the team has been going wrong game after game. There is, after all, a serious need for improved attacking intent.