Real Madrid focus: Why 45m wonderkid Vinicius Junior was key to Santiago Solari getting the Bernabeu job

Real Madrid focus: Why 45m wonderkid Vinicius Junior was key to Santiago Solari getting the Bernabeu job
Four wins out of four, 15 goals scored, two conceded, and a leap from ninth to sixth place in the table now only four points behind FC Barcelona.The numbers provide plenty of evidence to explain why Santiago Solari has been trusted with the full-time Real Madrid coaching job (even if the lack of alternatives available also helped).3

Santiago Solari was previously in charge of the Real Madrid B team

But equally important is an 18-year-old from Brazil who has only played 29 minutes in La Liga, and on whose shoulders rest a huge amount of expectations. In a season in which big players have invariably flattered to deceive, Vincius Jniors promise and the capacity to turn that into full Real Madrid-grade elite level productivity has played a significant part in defining the outcome of the search for a coach in the Spanish capital.It has been an unusual few months for Madrid to say the least, not only on the pitch, but also as far back as the summer and their business (or lack thereof). The superstar who had propelled the club to four European Cups in four years as well as countless merchandise and ticket sales departed, but there was no replacement of a similar level brought in. Instead, in a sign of the shake-up at the top of La Liga, it was Atltico who made the superstar signing, paying Monaco 70m for soon-to-be world champion Thomas Lemar, the most expensive outlay by any club in Spain. Rather than making a galctico splash to try and soothe the sting of Cristianos exit, Florentino Perezs biggest transaction was 45m for a kid many people hadnt heard of. Someone who had never played in Europe, and wasnt even close to breaking into the senior Brazil team. An investment in the future, but also one Los Blancos need to start paying off sooner rather than later. After all, this was another transfer window in which they failed again to get Neymar, and as Football Leaks has shown, also failed to get Kylian Mbapp. Big bets have been hedged on Vincius turning out to be just as captivating a star.3

Vinicius Junior is unveiled as Real Madrid player by Florentino Perez

The first coach tasked with converting that all-important prospect into the finished article didnt want to play ball. Julen Lopeteguis calls for patience with the youngster were welcomed at the start of the season, yet as results started to turn poorly, that perspective was suddenly lost, the wunderkind painted as the solution to all of Madrids troubles.Vincius became an easy stick with which to beat the embattled coach, and with every passing game in which the winger was either told to go and play with the B team and pay his dues, or left out of the matchday squad, the fury built more still. El Clsico was the culmination. When the signing was left out of the matchday squad despite travelling to Barcelona with the seniors ahead of the game, the people upstairs at the Bernabu werent impressed. To say the least.They were less impressed still with the 5-1 defeat, and in a flash, Lopetegui was gone. In his place stands the man Madrid hopes can do a better job with their important investment, and it should be noted that Santiago Solari has played his cards intelligently. In his first game as Madrid interim boss, he handed the Brazilian a starting spot. In his second, his Champions League debut. The hat-trick of presidential pleasing was hammered home on the third occasion, when the young prospect was brought on to turn the tide against a superior Valladolid side, breaking the deadlock thanks to a deflected shot with seven minutes left on the clock.3

Vinicius Junior is fast becoming a star for Real Madrid

Solari has been very intelligent. He knew how to produce what the team needed, and above all what the club was looking for, an unnamed Madrid director told Marca on Tuesday. The last part of the quote is not insignificant. It could be the most significant.Solari coached Vincius hands-on, every day for three months as his boss at Castilla, so perhaps he simply saw what Lopetegui couldnt, that the signing really is close to the finished article. Or perhaps hes just being savvy and pleasing the right people a quality not to be underestimated at a club like Real Madrid, as Lopetegui found out. Either way, expect the focus on the Perezs new hope, his development, and how the newly crowned coach handles it to be a continued theme throughout the season.

---

Emiliano Sala: Nantes demand transfer fee from Cardiff City

---

Recent high-profile incidents of racial abuse, including being aimed at England players during a Euro 2020 qualifier away to Montenegro, have led to calls for direct action. Earlier this week, Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi signalled he would be ready to walk off after teenage Italy forward Moise Kean was racially abused by Cagliari supporters.
Paul Parker hopes better education can spark progress in

---

Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique has thanked his fans for their support after revealing images of his treatment for a brain tumour. The 32-year-old underwent surgery in June of last year but has now completed two months of proton therapy in a bid to completely recover from the rare condition
Photo: Ex-Liverpool defender Jose Enrique gives emotional

---

Harry Redknapp has suggested the Chelsea job may be too big for nephew Frank Lampard to take on so early in his career. The Blues legend has been linked with a shock return to take over at Stamford Bridge just one season into his first managerial post at Derby County.
Frank Lampard to Chelsea latest: Harry Redknapp responds to
sportworld360.com/frank-lampard-to-chelsea-latest-harry-redknapp-responds-to-rumours-linking-nephew-with-maurizio-sarris-job/
Harry Redknapp has suggested the Chelsea job may be too big for nephew Frank Lampard to take on so early in his career. The Blues legend has been linked with a shock return to take over at Stamford Bridge just one season into his first managerial post at Derby County.
Frank Lampard to Chelsea latest: Harry Redknapp responds to

---

The headteacher of a school that Raheem Sterling bought FA Cup tickets for has said everyone has been 'blown away' by the Manchester City man's generosity. Sterling, who attended Ark Elvin Academy in London as a child, bought 550 tickets for pupils to go to City's FA Cup semi-final tie against Brighton on Saturday - a match you can

---

However, not everything went swimmingly for the East London side - striker Lucas Perez had to come off after 45 minutes because of a foot injury, and was replaced by Andy Carroll. After the game, the 30 year old Spaniard shared a photo of his left foot on Twitter - and it made us wince quite a bit.
Lucas Pérez Shows Off Brutal Injury He Picked Up Against

---

Tottenham sent a message to their title rivals with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Crystal Palace. A first Premier League goal for Juan Foyth proved decisive as a below-par Spurs went level on
Tottenham player ratings vs Crystal Palace: Juan Foyth scores

---

Kick It Out, football's anti-discrimination charity, have issued an unreserved apology to Brighton following comments by head of development Troy Townsend concerning the sacking of Chris Hughton.
Kick It Out apologises to Brighton for comments on sacking of

---

AC Milan 'want to sign out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Fabinho' this January as the Brazilian searches for more regular time on the pitch. The £40m signing has taken time to adapt.
Liverpool will demand more than £25million for Dejan Lovren

---

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar dominate list of world's highest-paid athletes, according to Forbes Two Manchester United stars also make the top 100 in the list compiled by the
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar dominate list of
fussboll.com/2019/06/13/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-and-neymar-dominate-list-of-worlds-highest-paid-athletes-according-to-forbes/
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are among the highest paid sports stars in the world. Forbes released their list of richest athletes and the three took the top slots ahead of boxing, American Football and basketball stars.
Highest paid athletes in world: Lionel Messi leads Forbes

---

Chelsea news: Maurizio Sarri to Juventus 'done' as manager

---

UEFA reveal that players will now be booked if they mime for

---