The Daily Merengue is a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name!

Shoutout to the mods who do a fantastic job, Kung_Fu_Zizou, Juninho, NeRObutBlanco, Valyrian Steel, and yours truly, Felipejack.

Alaba is not ready yet

During training, Alaba was in pain in the knee. Per report, this would have made Real to consider options in January transfer window. Do you believe it? Another reports it the club is working secretly to sign Wirtz.

Mbappe is at “60%”

The player would have told France NT he only wants to play the most important games, so he can avoid injury risks. His objective is the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Valverde interview to France Football

Valverde gave an lengthy interview to France football. It’s been reported here already, but only a few questions and it’s behind a paywall in France Football website. Here are there some others interesting Q&As (from The Madrid Zone and BeIN Sports), including about Zidane, Ancelotti and Bielsa.

Lopetegui trusted you first, but what about Zidane who gave you a key role?

I always admired Zidane as a player and legend… but then he became a father. At least that’s how I lived it. He was always attentive to me, to my family… That’s really what I appreciated most about him. Whether he played me a lot or not, he was always there to help me, to talk to me after training. That’s beautiful.

What about Ancelotti?

They [Zidane and Ancelotti] are very similar. It’s the same way of seeing football, talking to us and transmitting plans. They are two coaches who know perfectly every player they lead. In addition, they give off good vibrations, positive vibes. And that is valuable to us.

What about Bielsa at the National Team?

He is different, of course! It’s another way of seeing football, another way of living it, of transmitting it. With Bielsa, you work much more. Physically it kills you. And mentally too. Sometimes your head says ‘I’m tired’. But, in short, it corresponds to what he expects during the games. There is the desire to press, to do everything intensely, that madness that drains you mentally, but it pays off and gives you satisfaction. Everything that comes out of Bielsa’s mouth is worth learning.

How do you want to improve?

In the way of attacking the spaces. I need to do more. I would also say that I need to improve in tranquility and vision of the game. It is absolutely necessary that I maintain my intensity, my way of wanting to always give everything, Uruguayan, but showing calm and mental clarity. And if not, it could be good to improve my left foot.