Open Thread: August 7, 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.

A new day of training at the Valdebebas

Eden Hazard is going all out to be ready.

Juan Ignacio García-Ochoa reports that all systems are just about go with Hazard:

Eden Hazard looks like he is almost ready to first team action ahead of the upcoming season at the same pace as his Real Madrid teammates.

The Belgian took part in the collective training session on Friday, and although the season opener against Alaves might come a touch too soon, he is certainly on the right track.

Fitness coach Antonio Pintus has been using some bizarre looking masks that deprive the players of oxygen (hypoxia) while doing high intensity drills:

Antonio Pintus continues to revolutionise Real Madrid’s approach to pre-season training and fitness ahead of the new campaign, and the third training session of the week was a particular demanding one for the players, with hypoxia masks introduced.

It’s not at all comfortable to run with the mask on your face and a small backpack on your back, as well as a valve that regulates the air inlet and outlet.

This is key as it simulates altitude training, something teams have been unable to do naturally due to travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo by Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images

Messi deal with PSG incoming

From Fabrizio Romano:

This is also confirmed by the brother of the Emir of Qatar:

Meanwhile, as reported by Jose Felix Diaz, Real Madrid are in a holding pattern with the funds prepared to sign Mbappe, but they will wait for Nasser Al-Khelaifi to come to them.

Real Madrid awaiting a call from Al-Khelaifi about Mbappe

Real Madrid continue to watch events from afar, and are ready in case they have to make a quick manoeuvre this summer.

If Los Blancos need to make a strong financial investment in getting Mbappe a year early, they are ready and prepared for it, although they will not initiate any move.

Los Merengues want to see what happens with Messi and if PSG can incorporate his salary into their financial projections for the 2021/22 season.

DiarioAS: Ancelotti is optimistic about a Bale, Hazard, Benzema trident for this season

This lineup seems to sit on a razor’s edge: it could be brilliant or it could fall apart.