Real Madrid homegrown star still has a chance to stay despite fringe role

Real Madrid homegrown star still has a chance to stay despite fringe role Real Madrid took part in the Club World Cup last summer in what was Xabi Alonso’s first task as manager of Los Blancos . Although they may not have won that trophy in the United States, one of the biggest success stories of the tournament was Gonzalo Garcia. The young Spanish striker set the tone under the former manager, scoring goals in almost every single game and emerging as quite the surprise. He could not get the same kind of minutes or have the same kind of influence once the new season began, and his importance kept diminishing through the course of the campaign. There were some doubts about his future, especially with Endrick set to return. There was also interest from the likes of Newcastle United and Como . Now, according to Rodra (h/t Madrid Zone ), Gonzalo has a chance to stay at Real Madrid, and it is not guaranteed that he will leave this summer. Madrid rethink the striker picture Gonzalo Garcia is wanted by several top teams. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Real Madrid are not prioritising the signing of a new centre-forward, but they have not fully ruled one out either. In that context, keeping Gonzalo becomes a practical internal solution. He is now part of the first team, having come through Castilla. The names in attack do not help his cause and do not guarantee him minutes. That said, the talent is obvious. Gonzalo is homegrown, knows the club and offers a natural striker profile without forcing a major transfer investment. In a squad full of wide forwards and hybrid attackers, that can be useful. A sale is not the only smart path There was logic in the idea of selling him with a buy-back or percentage clause. Madrid have used that model well with academy players who need regular football elsewhere. Keeping him also makes sense if the coaching staff believe he can be useful across a long season. Not every squad role has to be solved in the market, especially when money may be needed for more urgent positions. Gonzalo Garcia could stay at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) The key will be giving him role clarity. If Madrid keep him, there has to be a realistic pathway to minutes in cup games, rotations and matches where the team need a pure penalty-box option. A useful test of Madrid’s academy trust As productive as La Fabrica has been over the years, it has been used more often to bring money to the club than as a viable route to the first team. Real Madrid produce talent, but the difficult part is finding real space for them at the first-team level. Gonzalo staying would send a positive message, provided it is backed by opportunities. He does not need to be promised a major role, but he does need a role that makes development possible. Madrid should still listen to strong offers, especially if the player would play regularly elsewhere. However, it should all depend on Mourinho. If the Portuguese manager believes keeping him around brings value, that is exactly what Los Blancos should do, and it remains to be seen how his future plays out.