Shipwreck of the Outcasts

Time is giving the reason for Real Madrid in the policy that followed last summer regarding the departure of three players, Odegaard, Varane and Ramos. The first two left 75 million euros in cash (35 the Norwegian, who went to Arsenal, and 40 the French central, sold to United, plus the variables in both cases). In addition, the white entity saved a significant amount in tokens: around 44 million euros gross between the three. Almost half a season later, the facts say that the maneuver was a success.

Economically the business has been very profitable for Madrid, but also in sports, especially in the back line, where with a stroke of the pen the club has completed the transition towards what should be its next central team for the next few years, Militao and Alaba (Ramos and Varane had won three consecutive Champions League titles). In reality, the three protagonists of the summer of Madrid departures have clearly been shipwrecked in their respective teams. These are your particular cases.

Sergio Ramos (PSG)

The former white captain has not yet been able to make his debut with PSG, neither in an official game nor in a friendly match. But according to Le Parisien, the camero begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel with the injuries. He returned to collective training last week and, so far, has not suffered a relapse. The evolution of his soleus discomfort is progressing well and the goal, according to Le Parisien, is for him to compete again at the end of November. It could make its debut, in the best of cases, at Lens-PSG on December 4 in northern France.

The problem for the central defender is that his last knee operation, for which he missed the last month and a half of the campaign at Real Madrid, has caused him muscle fragility due to the change in the dynamics of his movements. Le Parisien went on to publish that PSG was considering the possibility of terminating his contract, an extreme that was denied by the leaders of the Parisian entity.

Varane (Manchester United)

The other central head of the last five years at Madrid is not having his best season at Manchester United. And it is also because of the injuries. He already accumulates 45 days off with his new shirt, with which he has lost 8 games (he has only played 9). Against Tottenham Hotspur (October 30) Varane returned to the Red Devils starting team after overcoming a tear in his adductor muscles. Three days after the Mancunians’ victory, the defender had to be replaced as a precaution against Atalanta in the Champions League.

But Varane is valued for sports, and there are also criticisms. United are sixth in the Premier League, nine points behind the leader. In the Champions League, Cristiano has saved the furniture, but in a group in which they were theoretically clear favorites they have not yet been able to close the classification and everything will be played in the last two days. One of the main problems of the Red Devils is defense: they have conceded 25 goals in 16 games including the English league, the Cup and the Champions League.

Odegaard (Arsenal)

Odegaard’s case is more complicated. In the offices of the Bernabéu it was difficult to make the decision to let him go, because, at 22 years old, he can still be considered a very promising player. And more so in the past summer market, when the reference was the season he had been on loan at Real and then the half season at Arsenal. That’s why the Gunners decided to pay 35 million euros for him.

However, the campaign is being very difficult for the Norwegian and he does not stop receiving criticism. The presence of Emile Smith Rowe has put him aside. And now the club is considering adding an attacking man to the January market. So much so that in England they talk about an investment that can reach 90 million euros. Sterling is the big favorite as he doesn’t count for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The main problem for Odegaard is that he needs to be part of a system that is clearly defined for his characteristics, that is, a classic ten that moves freely behind the forwards and without ties in defense. The problems for the often player begin when he has to fit in a 4-3-3, either playing on the trident or trivote, or in a 4-4-2 like the one Arteta is now having, with Aubameyang and Lazacette in point and with a double pivot in the midfield.