Real Madrid fix on Liverpool and Crystal Palace stars | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s Defensive Strategy Shows Changing Priorities

Saliba Situation Never Likely

Credit to talkSPORT for highlighting a growing trend at Europe’s most powerful club. William Saliba’s decision to stay at Arsenal, rather than hold out for Real Madrid, has been presented in some quarters as a surprise. Yet European football broadcaster Andy Brassell made it clear that Madrid do not reserve superstar treatment for defenders. As he told talkSPORT.com, “Well, if we look historically at the sort of players that the red carpet’s really rolled out for, it’s not defenders, however good they are.”

Attacking Stars Still Rule Madrid’s Thinking

Madrid have built their global identity around ceremony. Kylian Mbappé received a full Santiago Bernabéu unveiling. Cristiano Ronaldo once stood before 80,000 with fireworks overhead. Florentino Pérez rolls out the red carpet when it suits the marketing department. Defenders do not sell replica shirts in Singapore or launch sponsorship deals in New York.

That is why Saliba’s contract renewal with Arsenal always felt pragmatic rather than romantic. As Brassell noted, “It’s not a massive surprise. One, because he’s been doing great at Arsenal.” He went even further, questioning whether Madrid were ever serious bidders at all. “I sense that Saliba’s agents were thickening it up a bit to accelerate negotiations with Arsenal.”

Free Transfers Driving Madrid’s Decisions

The key part of talkSPORT’s report lies in Madrid’s three defensive targets. Marc Guehi, Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté are all approaching the final year of their contracts. That places them in the territory Madrid value most: opportunity rather than extravagance.

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As Brassell said plainly, “I think you’re getting better value for money elsewhere, and value for money actually really matters to Real Madrid in the modern world.”

Arsenal and Others Have Taken Note

Saliba’s choice to recommit to Arsenal reflects a shifting power dynamic. Clubs in the Premier League no longer see Madrid as the inevitable pinnacle. “But the Saliba thing is, it’s not a massive surprise,” Brassell reiterated. Arsenal could not offer fireworks and murals, but they could offer status and centrality.

In effect, Madrid still want the world’s best defenders, they just do not wish to pay like they want them.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a wider Premier League perspective, this report highlights just how calculated Madrid have become. They are no longer the club that splashes £60million on Fabio Cannavaro or Ricardo Carvalho just to fill a squad gap. Instead, they lurk around the expiring contract market like a luxury opportunist.

Guehi, Konaté and Upamecano are all excellent defenders, but none have yet been treated like global superstars. If even one of them walks into the Bernabéu on a free, Madrid will frame it as genius. Meanwhile, Premier League clubs will be left questioning whether player loyalty exists beyond contract leverage.

Arsenal fans will read this as validation of their project. Liverpool supporters will worry about losing Konaté for nothing. Crystal Palace fans probably knew Guehi was gone the moment he turned down the new deal.

Madrid have not stopped being glamorous. They have simply learned that glamour can be cheaper than it looks.