Open Thread: December 25, 2020.

Hola Madridistas!

The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail or Oscnar.

The club president, Zidane and captains send Christmas message to Real Madrid fans.

Florentino Pérez: “From Real Madrid, in these difficult times we would like to send a message of affection, solidarity and hope. Our best wishes so that in 2021 we can regain normality and we can share many successes together”.

Zidane said: “We know that these are difficult times and we must be more united than ever”. Sergio Ramos said: “Together we are going to come through this by fighting like we have always done”. Marcelo, the second captain of the football team, added: “May peace and health always be with us”.

Zidane being cautious with Hazard, Will Vinicius be loaned to Arsenal and Kubo’s situation?

According to Marca, Zidane didn’t want to rush in Hazard against Granada because the coach wants Eden’s latest comeback to be his last one. Against Elche the Belgian is likely to feature for half-an-hour. Zidane is hoping that this plan of a gradual comeback will help Hazard. According the Daily Star, Arsenal is considering a loan move for Vinicius Junior next month. The Real Madrid winger is a loan target for the struggling Premier League giants, as they look to bolster their attack this winter.

We have reported before that Real Madrid is monitoring Kubo at Villarreal, as he hasn’t played much. AS reported that there weren’t many clubs that can afford his loan financially. However, apparently Getafe is interested and Real have agreed. Kubo’s agreement is still pending. For his part, Kubo seems intent on staying at Villareal and proving himself.

Nagelsmann talked about Real Madrid.

In an interview for Sport Bild, Nagelsmann talked about the potential move to Real Madrid in the past. He said that the move didn’t make sense to him as “It would only have been three weeks until the start of training, I could barely speak Spanish. That would not have been enough for me or Madrid.”

Is Bale injured.............. again?

In the last Tottenham match, Bale didn’t return with the rest of the squad for the second half. Mourinho confirmed that the player suffered a calf issue and requested to be replaced. Mourinho added: “I cannot say what, I cannot say the dimension of it. Now it is time for the medical department and I will try to know.” Bale was making only his second domestic start of the season, having returned to north London during a rehabilitation period for an existing knee problem.

Mbappe more distant to now signing with Real Madrid?

There is a rumor that Tuchel is leaving PSG and his successor would be Pochettino. According to AS, if Tuchel leaves, there is a greater chance that Mbappe will renew his contract with PSG, making it very difficult for Real Madrid to sign the player. Marco Ruiz of AS further states that PSG have assured Pochettino that the Frenchman would end up staying put.