Real Madrid boss has said the Spanish giants will bring in more reinforcements this summer. Real have already signed Brazilian pair Danilo and Casemiro from Porto this month, the latter returning from a loan spell, and in his first interview since his unveiling, Benitez says more additions are on the way.
“Of course there will be,” Benitez told his club’s official website, when asked about new arrivals. “Danilo and Casemiro, for example, are players that will be very important and the club works every day to try to increase the level of this team with other signings that will help us face the challenges that await us.
“But let me just say that to improve the current Real Madrid side is enormously difficult. This team has won it all and has proved the level it has. The fans can be certain that the team will have the level of competitiveness that this club demands.”
Benitez says he has spoken to all of his players, but has not made public anything about what their futures might hold.
“My technical team and I have been following and been in contact with the players,” he said. “I have to say that first of all, the predisposition to work that all of them, Sergio (Ramos), Iker (Casillas), Cristiano (Ronaldo), (Gareth) Bale, Pepe, (Raphael) Varane… have shown me has been excellent.
“The first thing I’ve done is to listen, to know what went well and what went badly last year, to see what they thought could be improved and how they would like things to be done. Once we are all together, we will decide what is the best for the club and what is the best for each of them.”
Benitez was brought in by Real this summer to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked by the club after failing to win a major trophy in the season just gone – having lifted the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey in the previous campaign.
Ancelotti was criticised for playing Wales forward Gareth Bale out of position, and Benitez knows his aim must be to get the most out of the huge amount of talent at his disposal.
“With regards to who will play and where, we have to be together, train together and then decide,” the former Liverpool and Napoli boss said. “Iker, Sergio, Cristiano, Isco, Bale, unlike what is being said, none of them demands to play here or there, above all, because we have not decided the best system to make the most of the potential of each player.
“They have to be happy on the pitch to give us the best of themselves. We know what we want and we know how to adapt to certain situations.”
Benitez, who has signed a three-year contract with Real, added of his return to the Bernabeu:
“Real Madrid is a great club, that has a great team and demands the most and attracts the attention of the entire world.
“We will try to do things with common sense, and everything will be easier. I was contracted to assume responsibility and I will do so. We will try to create a work environment that will allow us to obtain results. That is why I’m optimistic because we have the means, capacity, dedication and devotion that will allow us to achieve our aims.”
Rafa is walking into a hornets nest, where I cannot see how he can be successful. Real’s two co-captains Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos are feuding with club president Florentino Perez as is talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. Om top of that, it is clear that Rafa will need to win at least one trophy next season. And that will not be easy.
Domestically, if everyone is fit, Barcelona are a better side, and their attacking trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar will only get better after a season playing together.
Then across Europe their are enough holes in the Real line-up that the likes of Barca (again), Juventus, PSG, Bayern and Chelsea would all fancy their chances against the 10-win European winners.
While Rafa has a three-year contract, if he sees up 18-months of it I will be surprised
