Open Thread: August 14, 2021

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, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.

It is Match day!

Los Blancos start their season today. This is our squad list for the game against Alaves:

During yesterday’s press conference, Ancelotti confirmed that Odegaard, who is involved in a possible move to Arsenal, has not been registered yet. Vallejo and Ceballos haven’t also been registered, but Ceballos is not available due to injury. So the players not in the squad list for La Liga debut are: Carvajal, Mariano, Marcelo, Mendy, Kroos, Ceballos, Ødegaard, and Vallejo.

According to Marca, Miguel Gutierrez is starting this game. If this turns to be the case, Ancelloti’s plan is to use Alaba as center-back, as Nacho and Militao are available. There is also the rumour that Isco will be in the starting XI today.

Yesterday Rumours: Odegaard and Mbappé.

The rumours continue about Mbappé not wanting to continue at PSG and that he will talk about his future on Monday. His desire is to be the leader and face of a project. Further, Real apparentely is ready to offer €120 million for the player. Two realiable sources in France, L’Équipe and Le Parisien, reported that Real Madrid are planning to make the official move for the player this month. However, there is a rumour denying this as Real don’t want to start a war with PSG.

The bad news is that Real might sell Odegaard to Arsenal. The player would have asked for a guaranteed place in the starting XI and Real Madrid refused. Ancelotti has commented about Odegaard’s place in the press-conference:

Ødegaard has done well but I have told him that in the midfield position there is a lot of competition - because there are 8 players there.

What do you think about Odegaard?