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Notes & Quotes: April 27, 2020; Open Thread

Brazilian player’s agent talks Madrid, Costa talks about Conte at Real and James to Miami rumors

FBL-ESP-LIGA-REAL MADRID-TRAINING Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images

São Paulo midfielder’s agent talks about potential move to Real Madrid in the future

Igor Gomes is a 21-year-old midfielder for Brazilian Série A club São Paulo who has started to turn heads in Europe. He has also drawn comparisons to Kaká. His agent, Wagner Ribiero recently spoke to Fox Sports (via AS) where he said about his desire to one day bring Gomes to Real Madrid.

“I’ve been working with Igor since he was 12 years old. He is on the radar of all the big clubs in Europe. He is a starter at São Paulo and he is a different sort of player.”

“He has the kind of style the appreciate in Europe: he scores goals, starts moves, makes assists. He is a complete player. There has been talk that Madrid want him but I said it wasn’t the right time to talk about that.”

“But, I do have the dream of one day taking him to the Bernabéu. I like Real Madrid as a club. If the opportunity arises, I would do it with pleasure.”

Real have really put big investment in Brazilian in recent seasons. It was Vinicius and Rodrygo first. More recently it was Reinier Jesus who made the trip over from South America.

I admittedly haven’t watched much of Igor, but what is being said about him is intriguing. If he truly does have Real’s attention, it would not be surprising given how much has been spent on even younger Brazilian players by the club. But, for now, it doesn’t appear anything is imminent with Real Madrid bringing another young, talented Brazilian player.

Diego Costa says Conte would not have lasted long as Real Madrid’s manager

Atlético Madrid striker Diego Costa recently spoke with ESPN Brasil (via MARCA) and was asked about his feud with Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

“We had problems off the pitch, but he’s actually a good coach.”

“I don’t have any hard feelings, but to be a coach, it’s really important that he changes something on the human side of his methodology.”

“He’s a distrustful guy. He wouldn’t even last a season at Real Madrid.”

Despite Costa saying there’s no hard feelings, it seems he still generally doesn’t trust Conte. The feud the two is what seemingly drove Costa back to Atlético.

There were rumors about Antonio Conte becoming Real Madrid’s manager after Julen Lopetegui was sacked during the 2018-19 season. That move obviously never happened as Santi Solari was instead promoted to the first team from Castilla.

It would’ve been interesting to see Conte as Real manager before Zidane’s return. He was clearly the biggest available name managerially at the time and it would’ve been interesting to see what he would have brought to the table as a more defensive-minded manager.

James reportedly wanted by Inter Miami

According to Goal, David Beckham’s new MLS club Inter Miami reportedly want to make a move for James Rodriguez this summer. The report says that Madrid’s front office would rather sell James this summer rather than lose him for free after his contract expires in 2021.

If this report is accurate, it would be a big move for Miami and the MLS. James is only 28 and is still a big name for both Colombian and Real Madrid fans. He’d also be a marquee name and talent on the club next to ex-Monterrey player Rodolfo Pizarro.

Even if this particular move and report doesn’t pan out, it seems the writing is on the wall regarding James’ future with Real Madrid. He doesn’t get much play time and he has struggled with injuries this season since coming back from Munich.

It might be a wise move for both sides to move on again from each other, perhaps even in the United States while he’s still at a prime age.


Geremi's story about Raul

Geremi tells Kiyan Sobhani what it was like marking Raul in training, and how intelligent Raul was off the ball. Full episode: https://www.managingmadrid.com/2020/4/26/21237464/managing-madrid-podcast-former-real-madrid-player-geremi

Posted by Managing Madrid on Monday, April 27, 2020

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