Real Madrid lost to Espanyol 2-1 earlier this season, and while a theme of this season has been revenge with wins over PSG, Chelsea, and even Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League coming into view – not to mention a recent bounce-back win over Getafe to atone for a 1-0 loss earlier this year – Real’s focus may not actually be on Espanyol.
Heavy rotations are expected for Saturday afternoon’s match at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Los Blancos have their eyes on a Wednesday night Remontada next week in the Champions League at the Bernabeu against Manchester City, down just 4-3 on aggregate.
As such, let’s take a look at a handful of Real Madrid players who could significantly increase either their value to the Merengues – or their value on the transfer market – with a strong performance on Saturday vs. Espanyol.
CM Dani Ceballos
We begin with center midfielder Dani Ceballos, whose excellent start against Osasuna and positive performance off the bench at Manchester City have already increased his value substantially. Once an afterthought for Madrid, Ceballos worked hard to shine in his limited minutes off the bench, and he has proven Carlo Ancelotti’s words months ago right. Ceballos has become, in a small way, important to Madrid.
It’s unclear if he will stay or not, but there are now rumblings that figures in Madrid are pushing for a renewal and not a transfer, including Ancelotti. Ceballos had been frequently linked with a move back to Real Betis.
With a strong performance against Espanyol in the starting XI, Ceballos can seal his future with the Merengues, or, of course, receive interest from more suitors than just the 2022 Copa del Rey winners.
CM Isco
Now let us discuss another technically gifted midfielder being closely linked with a move to Real Betis, and given Isco’s wages despite being a free agent acquisition this summer, it is very possible Los Verdiblancos will be choosing between one marquee signing to add to Sergio Canales and Nabil Fekir.
Isco hasn’t received as many headlines recently, but he has a much bigger pedigree than Dani Ceballos. And every time the former Malaga man – there’s the Manuel Pellegrini link with Betis – has been asked to perform for Madrid, he has done so.
One of the team’s most creative players and best progressors of the ball as a dribbler and passer, Isco can still succeed at the highest level, albeit with a club one step below Madrid. So a Champions League hopeful, rather than a UCL mainstay.
This game against Espanyol is nothing about Isco’s Madrid future. That ship has long sailed. It is about Isco may convincing a club a little better than Betis – such as Milan – to open their pocketbooks and give him an important role in 2022/23.
CB Jesus Vallejo
Jesus Vallejo is another player Real Madrid could wave goodbye to this summer, and, as harsh as this may sound, Madridistas won’t be as tearful in their farewell to the young center back.
Once a top prospect for Madrid, Vallejo fell off the map after an abysmal loan to Wolves in 2019/20, which was followed up by a loan move to Granada that somehow ended in him decreasing his value further.
All hope is not lost for Vallejo, but he is understandably finding life difficult in the 2021/22 season, buried on the depth chart as someone the Merengues simply cannot trust at center back.
But this weekend, he gets his chance to show what he can do. If he can hold his own against Raul de Tomas, Javi Puado, and the Espanyol attack, Vallejo could finally earn some positive buzz. He won’t be easy to sell, but he could pique the interest of some club out there. There may be folks in the Bundesliga who still look kindly upon him after his once-upon-a-time excellence in Frankfurt.
CB Rafa Marin
Out of all the players on the list, Rafa Marin is surely the one Madridistas are most excited about, because he can have a long-term future with the club. Marin is one of a few young center backs from Real Madrid Castilla worth praising, and he is the readiest for the first team.
Finally, Marin will get his chance this Saturday against Espanyol, and he can really make a name for himself by shining as a youngster against a credible opponent. Marin has wowed Madridistas with some of his passes at Castilla, and Real Madrid could use that game-breaking ability against a stingy opponent.
With Antonio Rudiger expected to join the Merengues this summer, Marin’s opportunities will still be limited in 2022/23. So here is to hoping he makes the most of this one. If he does, he could earn first-team minutes next season, but perhaps from a club so impressed they offer to sign him on loan this summer.
GK Andriy Lunin
Real Madrid fans think ver highly of Andriy Lunin, who may be better than a good portion of the goalkeepers starting in LaLiga right now. Lunin’s reflexes first caught the eye of Madridistas this summer in the preseason against Rangers in what was otherwise a boring match from Madrid’s perspective, and he was solid in the Copa del Rey.
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One of the best young keepers around, Lunin is a bit of a forgotten man because he happens to be behind THE best goalkeeper in world football right now. Lunin thus stands no chance at getting regular playing time in LaLiga, so his expected start on Saturday vs. Espanyol is a rare occasion worth celebrating. A clean sheet and a few big stops could help him gain a lot of buzz. Realistically, he may be looking to get a transfer and earn himself as big of an opportunity as possible.