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Zinedine Zidane: 'Disrespectful to talk about summer clearout'

Zidane: 'Disrespectful to talk about clearout'
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Summer signing Thibaut Courtois is yet to start since Zidane's return.

Zinedine Zidane refused to be drawn on his plans for an overhaul of the Real Madrid squad but admits there will be no doubt over the goalkeeping situation next season.

On his return to the Bernabeu, Zidane restored his previous number one Keylor Navas to the side, immediately leading to questions about £35million summer signing Thibaut Courtois.

With Courtois injured, the Real coach handed his son Luca Zidane a start for Sunday's 3-2 win over Huesca.

"It depends on the goalkeepers that will be here next year," said Zidane ahead of the trip to Valencia.

"At the moment there are three good goalkeepers and we are going to finish the season with them. We will see what we will do next year.

"There will be no debate. We're not going to have the issue of goalkeepers next year, it's going to be very clear."

Zidane was not so forthcoming on his rebuilding plans for a squad which could start Wednesday's match 15 points behind Barcelona and are already out of the Champions League after winning the competition three times in succession.

"A lot is being said about next year. There is no need to talk about these things," he added, according to Real's website.

"You have to respect the players who are here and have done a lot.  Talking about an overhaul shows a lack of respect.

"We're going to have to make changes but it's not the time to talk about this. There will be time to talk."

Real's objective in LaLiga is to catch city rivals Atletico, who went into the midweek round of matches just two points ahead in second place.

"We are going to fight to stay as high as possible," said Zidane.

"We have to do it well, regardless of the rest of the teams. We want to finish the season well, as high as possible."

Hosts Valencia's target is catching fourth-place Getafe, who are three points ahead.

After a wretched start to the campaign which brought just one win and 10 draws in 13 matches, Valencia are currently on a 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions stretching back to January.

Midfielder Carlos Soler told valenciacf.com: "We have a very good dynamic and we are closer to the objective.

"It seems incredible after an irregular season start to see the current situation.

"There are many games without losing, we concede few goals, and now we have to think about Wednesday's game at the Mestalla."

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Goncalo Guedes in action for Valencia in the King's Cup on January 24, 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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