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What a day. Football ‘eritage. Cup Final Jose vs. Europa League Sevilla.

What’s up today:

• Karim Bezema could leave Real Madrid; Kane to replace? 💥 ✈️ 

• Europa League Final tonight— Mourinho vs. Sevilla 🏆️ ⚔️ 

KARIM BENZEMA SET TO LEAVE MADRID? 💥 ✈️ 

When Karim Benzema picked up his Ballon D’or trophy last October, no one thought that he was anywhere near leaving Real Madrid. With an absurdly lucrative offer from the Saudi League on the table, the 35-year-old is mulling over his options.

What does the offer look like? 📃 🔍️ 

Why move? 🏆️ 💸 

Put simply, Benzema has already won every major team and invidual honor available to him in club football.

• 5 UCLs with Madrid

• 10+ league titles with Madrid and Lyon

• Spanish and French League Cups

• Club World Cups

• The Ballon D’Or 2022

At age 35, he is not getting any younger. A move to Saudi Arabia could triple or quadruple his net worth, & financially secure his family for the next 5 generations. It’s hard to argue against a move like that.

This could also be a smoothest & least painful transition if he leaves early this summer, allowing Madrid time to find a proper replacement. They will not be short of players dreaming of being Madrid’s new #9.

Who could replace him? 👀 

Harry Kane 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 

Harry Kane has been linked to Real Madrid ever since Ancelotti was re-appointed. The Italian “fell in love” with England’s #9 during his stint as Everton manager.

Rumors are heating up as Kane’s contract goes into its final year, & Spurs owner Daniel Levy reportedly refuses to sell him to a PL rival.

Could this be perfect for all parties?

Tactical fit

Harry Kane is currently the best striker in the world, bar none. Sure there can be arguments for Haaland— but he is nowhere near as complete a striker as Harry Kane is today.

Harry Kane can link play & create like a #10, while finishing like a #9. He has every sort of finish in the book— both feet, head, short/long distance, power/finesse.

He would fit like a glove at Real Madrid between Vinicius and Rodrygo. He could drop into midfield to create room for both of them to cut in, be a target man for the defense and midfield to play off of, & finish off the infinite chances that their midfield & attack would create for him.

He could have 50 LaLiga goals & assists next season. He is that good, and is worth whatever money Levy wants to charge for him.

Feasibility of the deal

Financials

• Real Madrid are already rumored to be spending €100mm+ on Jude Bellingham this summer.

• But this is Real Madrid, the largest spender in football history. If there is a “Galactico” signing to be made, they will make it. Money should not be an issue.

• Daniel Levy would ask somewhere (rumored) between €100-120mm.

Daniel Levy

• Levy would far prefer selling Harry Kane to a club outside of the Premier League.

• He has a history of wanting to keep his best players at Spurs or out of the Premier League completely—to avoid being stung twice by the loss of players.

  • See: Modric, Bale, Eriksen, Trippier

• That being said, Levy may not sell Kane at all, & rather risk him running down his contract. Levy knows that the price of replacing Kane at Spurs would far exceed any transfer fee they could fetch for him.

All things considered, Harry Kane would be the perfect replacement for Karim Benzema, should the Frenchman leave the club this summer. Makes perfect sense for all parties involved if they’re open to the move.

Roberto Firmino 🇧🇷 

Tactical fit

Similarly to Kane, Firmino is an amazing “#9.5”. He can stitch play together, join the midfield+attack, & score goals. He is not nearly as prolific as Harry Kane, but he offers more quality in the dribble & could have more stylistic chemistry with his compatriots Vinicius & Rodrygo.

That being said, he would likely not adequately replace Benzema’s goals the way that Harry Kane could.

He would be a great compliment to either Benzema (should he stay) or Harry Kane (should he sign). Let’s check out how feasible a deal would be.

Feasibility of the deal

Financials

• Bobby Firmino is out of contract at Liverpool and can sign on a free transfer.

• This allows for him to sign as an “enabler” second striker behind Benzema or Kane— great business.

Conclusion

Real Madrid signed Endrick for close to €70mm, all things considered, in 2022. He is only 16 years old, so he will not join until the summer of 2024— two years after having signed his Real Madrid contract. Until he arrives, and maybe while he settles in, Real Madrid will need a top striker to lead their line.

If Karim Benzema leaves, they will need a strong replacement— one who can replace goals & assists. Benzema’s injuries have shown that Madrid need a backup as well. Harry Kane for €100mm & Roberto Firmino for free would be great business & fits tactically.

EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL— MOURINHO VS. SEVILLA 🏆️ ⚔️ 

Neither Jose Mourinho nor Sevilla have ever lost a European final.

Tonight, an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

Keys to the match 🔑 

Roma 🐺 

Mourinho’s men will come out & defend, trying to take the game to 0-0 until midway through the second half. Then Jose Mourinho will flip the script & go for the win. If somehow Roma nick a goal early, good luck getting within 20 yards of their goal for the rest of their match. Mourinho will substitute defenders on for attackers, and build a fortress around their goal.

Mourinho is old school. He is here to remind “football geniuses” that the sport is about winning, not about playing pretty. He will do whatever it takes to win, and has no shame in winning ugly. This is why we love football— there is not only one way to win.

Key players: Tammy Abraham & Paulo Dybala

• With Mourinho’s Roma likely not doing much attacking throughout the match, it will be up to his key attackers to provide a moment of magic & write their names into AS Roma folklore.

Sevilla 🔴 ⚪️ 

Sevilla will attack Roma from the get-go. They love to dominate the ball, create tons of chances, & win through offensive overwhelm.

Roma’s “parking the bus” will play into their hands as they love to hold onto the ball. They also have aerial threat & long-shot threat.

Key players: Youssef En-Nesyri & Ivan Rakitic

• Youssef En-Nesyri’s height on set pieces & crosses will be key if Mourinho’s men fall into a deep block.

• Rakitic’s long distance strikes & ball-playing could also unlock Roma’s defense.

Zooming out 🔍️

Roma will want to defend & Sevilla will want to attack. Mourinho & Sevilla have rich histories winning European Finals. Neither will go down without a fight. It will likely get very prickly between the two. Each team’s style plays into the hands of the other— Roma are happy to sit back & Sevilla are happy to hold onto the ball. Get your popcorn & enjoy this “Football Heritage” match.

Gaffer’s Bet 🃏 

Roma win on penalty kicks after 1-1 in regular time. Never bet against Jose in a final.

That’s all for today folks. Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Benzema will make his decision soon. Hopefully there is more news on it tomorrow!

In the meantime, go watch Jose Mourinho’s Roma vs. Sevilla. You deserve it.

—The Gaffer

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