Real Madrid round-up: Ronaldo, James, Isco, Woodgate...
The Portugal captain has offered financial assistance for those people affected by the wildfires in Madeira, while James and Isco vie to be Asensio's back-up.
Ronaldo
The Portugal captain has not been left unmoved by the devastating wildfires sweeping across his native Madeira and personally called the head of the island’s administration, Miguel Albuquerque to offer financial assistance to those affected by the blaze, which has claimed the lives of three people, hospitalized 170 and was calculated to be raging across an area of 500 hectares outside the capital, Funchal.
Isco
The midfielder continues to be linked with a move away from the Bernabéu, with AC Milan and Juventus both interested, but it seems Zidane is keen to keep Isco. The Real coach said recently that the 24-year-old would be “going nowhere” this summer and he started Isco ahead of James Rodríguez in the European Supercup. With Marco Asensio’s star continuing to rise, there is a surfeit of attacking midfielders at the club. August 31 still seems a long way off…
James
And the Colombia international did not appear too happy about being left on the bench again in Trondheim. James could not stifle a yawn on the bench and apparently had a little difference of opinion with fitness coach Antonio Pintus while warming up under the task-master’s orders. The cameras then lingered on the recalcitrant James as he half-heartedly celebrated Dani Carvajal’s winner.
Favilli
Andrea Favilli’s agent has helpfully confirmed interest from Real Madrid in the Italy junior international, who scored 20 goals in the Primavera youth league on loan at Juve from Livorno last season. “There’s something in it, but nothing is concrete yet,” Vincenzo Rispoli said.
Woodgate
Former Real defender Jonathan Woodgate will be back at the Bernabéu, and several other Spanish stadiums, in his new role as a scout for Liverpool. Woodgate, who played just 14 times for Real in two-injury ravaged seasons, has been tasked with scouring the Spanish and Portuguese leagues for players that might be of interest to Jürgen Klopp.