Real Madrid and the FIFA Virus

Injuries do happen all the time, there isn't much that can be done to prevent them, other than by rotation, limit those that occur from overwork and fatigue.

Back to Modric, his injury last season was severe and it is highly predicable that new related injuries will happen, plus his age (+30) is a factor.

The reason why most big clubs essentially try to have two for every position and have rotation is what is done to try to prevent detrimental effects from injuries. That also why Carlo failed and Benitez was hired, to use the entire squad.

According to Carlo we lost the last two seasons because of injuries to Jese and Modric, yet the real cause was burnt out players and a whole bench that wasn't given a reasonable attempt to be integrated into team.

Nick, Those three are a notch below (Jese, the exception if he ever gets back to the form of two years ago), but can you really expect anything better to be behind Ronaldo, Bale, Benz, James and Isco. Being behind these alphas who are all but guaranteed playing time, means there are several games were you don't even make it to the bench!!! Both Denis and Lucas have shown they can play at this level, but the reality is the opportunities are few and they have to make the most of them, something all three of them have yet to do.

I'm making a bold prediction for next year, I say all three of them will be gone and replaced by Morata and Asensio.

You forgot one thing, almost all the players you're referring to got injured on the international break, not on our watch. Modric, James, Danilo, Benzema. I think only Jesé, Carvajal and Bale got injured while playing for Real Madrid.

It's too early to say that the reason for injuries is fatigue.

Some NT managers need to understand that you don't have to play your best players during friendlies. And when you've already booked your place for the euros or whatever, don't field your strongest eleven and do us a favor, send them back to their clubs.

Morata lol, there is no point bringing Morata back to play second fiddle, he wont be happy, and it wont work out for all parties.

He only returns if he is a better player than Benzema, which he is clearly not, or Benzema somehow leaves, which looks as unlikely as ever.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Morata doesn't start every game at Juve so he won't be insisting on starting. We don't have a 2nd CF and Benz does need rotation. I don't see it any different that Kovacic to Modric. Morata has developed quite a bit at Juve and he hasn't reached his full potential yet. He is looking like he may indeed be the main 9 on NT for Euro. He's no dud, but sure he isn't up to Benz's level.

In any event, that's my bold prediction. We can talk about it next summer whether or not this prediction has any validity. There is a lot of talk within club that it has to be next summer if we are going to bring him back, otherwise it's just another Negredo or Soldado situation.

and you think the main 9 of spain would play second fiddle here just because he is madridista? i dont think so, the guy is building his career slowly in italy, he is no phenom, but he is a good player. we can leave him be and focus on other positions.

Our forward depth is weak Counting Isco and James as forwards is flawed analysis as they are more midfielders than attackers. Isco especially played on right is non existent, understandably.

Jese,Vasquez, Denis is fairly weak depth.

Adit wrote:Our forward depth is weak Counting Isco and James as forwards is flawed analysis as they are more midfielders than attackers. Isco especially played on right is non existent, understandably.

Jese,Vasquez, Denis is fairly weak depth.

Jese is weak but we want Morata back ? The former is a way better player.

Valkyrja wrote:

Adit wrote:Our forward depth is weak  Counting Isco and James as forwards is flawed  analysis as they are more midfielders than attackers. Isco especially played on right is non existent, understandably.

Jese,Vasquez, Denis is fairly weak depth.

Jese is weak but we want Morata back ? The former is a way better player.

That's not true at all. Jese was the better player two seasons ago, but hasn't shown any thing close to that form since the injury. It's debatable at this point if he will ever get back to that form. Morata meanwhile has blossomed at Juve. He is a completely different player than what we saw at Madrid. He is getting callups to NT and starting while Jese isn't even a consideration. Besides they play different positions, Morata is a CF while Jese is a winger. The fact that we have only one CF on team is a problem, whether or not Morata comes back, we do need a 2nd CF on this team.

i'm not saying Jese is a bad player, but I am saying he needs to step it up if he is going to remain at Madrid. He has to take advantage of his opportunities (like this weekend) like he did so well two seasons ago.

Adit wrote:Our forward depth is weak  Counting Isco and James as forwards is flawed  analysis as they are more midfielders than attackers. Isco especially played on right is non existent, understandably.

Jese,Vasquez, Denis is fairly weak depth.

Adit, I'm going to disagree with you. James and Isco are part of the front four, but they are AMs and are playing as such. i will agree that Jese, Denis and Lucas are a notch below and do need to step it up when they get opportunities, but they are in no way weak. All three of them have played well in la liga, it is just a matter of them getting opportunities and stepping up. i don't believe you can expect anything else for what essentially are the last of the squad (except for Arbeloa and yañez). playing behind Ronaldo, Bale and Benz, means few opportunities and lots of games were they don't even make it to bench! i know you and nIck would prefer to have more mature players as reserves, but until the coach can rotate those three, you won't get many proven vets to accept the end of squad spots.

morata is not better than jese, morata now is still not better than jese pre injury, not saying he is a bad player he will be a pretty decent forward, some of are too quick to discard players and hop on the new bandwagons, have patience jese can still come good, he is not really a 9 but he can get the job done, if he gets service or just take his one chance.