CASILLAS STRUGGLING

When Jose Mourinho departed Real Madrid during the last summer and the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti was announced it created expectations that Iker Casillas would undoubtedly be placed into the main squad of the team just as he has been doing for the majority of his playing career with the Spanish club.

Unfortunately for the captain of Spain, he has not played a single match, a single minute of this season of La Liga as Carlo Ancelotti has preferred placing Diego Lopez ahead of the World Cup champion.

Iker Casillas has already said that this campaign would be his last one in Real Madrid as the frustration of only being able to play in the Copa del Rey has reached him but the question that remains is where will he be playing in the next season.

Just about any club in the world would be willing to secure the services of the Spanish goalkeeper who still is regarded to be one of the best shot-stoppers in the world. Real Madrid has to face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey finale and it is very likely that it will be the last match that Iker Casillas gets the chance to appear facing off against their eternal rivals Barcelona.

While Iker Casillas will be seeing his way out of the club in the summer, Real Madrid is believed to be interested in signing the Chilean midfielder of Juventus, Arturo Vidal and are prepared to launch an offer to the Italian club when the transfer window re-opens in the summer but they have stiff competition as Manchester United are also keeping close tabs on Vidal.

NEW MODRIC?

Philippe Coutinho has been one of the good signings for Liverpool, as the Brazilian has performed well above expectations since his £ 8 million move from Inter Milan. His signing was viewed as a gamble by the club, who had previously failed with big-money moves like Andy Carroll. Coutinho has more than defied expectations by becoming a first-team regular in the Premier league, which is regarded as hard league for the Brazilians because of the physical nature. Coutinho has been able to settle comfortably partly due to the presence of his international counterparts like Lucas.

Brendan Rodgers says that Coutinho has been excellent for Liverpool, but he expects more from the youngster in the coming years. He has compared him with former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, who is currently playing for Real Madrid. The Croatian midfielder did not have the physicality required to play in the English Premier league, but he more than adapted well and proved to be a major reason behind Tottenham’s upward surge in the last few years.

Modric then sealed a £ 35 million move to Madrid and he is starting to become a key player there as well. Rodgers has said that Modric scored 13 goals in his first season at Tottenham and he sees no reason why Coutinho cannot replicate it.

“I look at Coutinho as a Modric type. And when you look at Modric, then over four years at Tottenham he got 13 league goals but his influence was massive. He will naturally get more goals but he is a wonderful player for us. He is a key who opens up many things in a game. There’s no doubt he will want to improve it, but I don’t want to put pressure on to do that. They know what their job is,” said Rodgers.

MODRIC HAPPY TO BE LINKED

Former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has revealed that he is extremely happy that a great manager like Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him when he was the manager of Manchester United. Modric is currently playing for Real Madrid, but he was linked with several clubs over the last few years. The likes of Paris St Germain, Chelsea, and Manchester United were looking to secure his signature, but it was Real Madrid who ended up getting him for £ 35 million. Modric has revealed that he is happy to be playing for a club like Madrid, but he is also flattered due to interest from several big names over the years.

The Croatian is currently playing for Carlo Ancelotti, who tried to get him when he was at Chelsea and PSG. Tottenham were not prepared to sell him at any price during that period, but they were forced to sell to Real Madrid after they came in with a huge offer. Modric has said that the transfer interest from Manchester United did not materialise into a serious offer, but he is more than happy that Ferguson was interested in him. The former United manager is regarded as one of the best in the world after having led United to numerous titles in 26 years.

“Ancelotti wanted me already. One year ago at PSG and in 2011 at Chelsea. But then Andre Villas-Boas came and Tottenham did not want to give me up. I also knew of the interest of the United and even if the transfer did not materialise, the public appreciation of a great like Sir Alex is a big pride for me. Zvonimir Boban is an idol for me, an example of football and life. When I arrived at Tottenham and I received strong criticism, Boban took my number and called me,” said Modric.

STARTING TO SETTLE?

Ever since Luka Modric made the £ 34 million move from Tottenham to Real Madrid, there have been rumours linking him with a return to the Premier league. He did not settle at the Spanish club in his first season, but he has now become one of the important players midfield especially after the departure of Mesut Ozil. He was voted by the fans as the worst signing last season, but he has now transformed himself and has endeared to the public.

He has not scored a goal for the club this season, but he has already made 10 appearances in all competitions. It has been a virtual ever present in the Madrid team under Carlo Ancelotti. He has been linked to the Premier league with the likes of Manchester United showing a lot of interest. The champions are keen to strengthen the midfield and were linked with numerous players in the summer including Modric. However, they were unable to get him, but they are expected to come in with a second offer in the summer.

Modric, though, has ruled out any possibility of returning now because he feels settled at Madrid. He was recently joined by his former Tottenham teammate Gareth Bale, who has become the world’s most expensive player at £ 86 million.

“I have no doubt that the best thing that ever happened to me in football is to play in Madrid. Where will I be in four years? Here. Besides being a great club, my family feels amazing in Madrid. In football it is difficult to plan, but if you ask me, I would like to retire in Madrid. With titles, of course,” said the midfielder, who failed to win the league title last season. This time around it is going to be difficult as well because they are five points behind Barcelona.