Five Real superstars that will likely be heading for the Bernabeu exit in the new year.
It’s all gone a little pear shaped for Real Madrid in recent seasons. Despite some seriously heavy spending and being able to call upon one of the greatest players the world they just haven’t been able to wrestle the domestic title away from arch-rivals Barcelona and cross-city neighbours Atletico Madrid. A Champions League victory last term has stemmed the tide somewhat, but Carlo Ancelotti could soon be set to clear the decks and below are five stars that might not survive the cull.
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5. Iker Casillas
It’s hard to imagine that even with the strong emotional bond that Casillas shares with the club he is happy with his role as bit part player now. For so long he has been a beacon of the club and represented them to the absolute peak of his incredible abilities. However, he is still fighting it out with Keylor Navas to be the club’s first choice stopper and he must know that to keep his reputation in tact he must move on. Fans the world over saw how rusty he was at the World Cup this summer, and a move to another top European club could provide him with the springboard for a very productive and successful Indian summer to his career.
4. Marcelo
The Brazilian full-back has learned how quickly the tide can turn in a short space of time. Last season he was the top dog and Fabio Coentrao was the one who looked to be on his way, but now the shoe is on the other foot and he could be in line for a surprise exit from the club in the new year. He would undoubtedly bring in a few Euro’s in terms of a transfer fee and he may well want to find a fresh challenge himself if his path to regular first team football is blocked.
3. Karim Benzema
Despite having only penned a new contract extension recently, the France international could be on his way out in the new year as Liverpool have reportedly agreed a £38m deal to snap him up. It’s never felt like he has had a foothold on his place in the side, and only got regular run outs because the club had a distinct lack of options in that position. This term they have Chicharito to back him up, and should he leave then there is no doubt that they would go straight out to replace him.
2. Gareth Bale
The Welshman enjoyed a strong debut campaign last season, getting himself well into double figure for both goals and assists. He was well on his way to justifying the £85m price tag that the club had paid for him, but so far this season he has struggled to get out of second gear yet, and rumour has it he cuts an unpopular figure in the dressing room because of his recent performances. Manchester United, who tried to snap him up last summer, are apparently interested again.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s been a long time coming, apparently, and in the new year Ronaldo could find himself heading back to Manchester United. There is a lot of speculation over whether he will or won’t go back, but stranger things have happened in football and these things have a way of working themselves out, and Louis Van Gaal could very well manage to bag himself the world’s greatest player yet!
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