Zinedine Zidane has insisted that Real Madrid “don’t need” to make signings this month ahead of Sunday’s trip to Real Betis in La Liga.
Los Blancos have been tipped to launch a late frenzy in January after being banned from bringing in new players for the next two transfer windows, but the Coach felt there was no point “looking for what I already have”.
“[Sergio Ramos] will not travel to Seville,” he said at a Press conference.
“Next week he’ll be with the group and his troubles will have ended.
“We have to maintain [our form] from the very beginning, with the same concentration and desire.
“We need to continue everything we’ve done in the first half [of games].
“I think everyone is focused on doing that. Every game is different, but we’re focused.
“Nacho [Fernandez] will not be leaving. He’s a member of the team and the team is young.
“He is the future of the team, trains well, functions normally in the group and I’m happy with him.
“He’s not going to leave. I want him in the team.
“We’re ready. It’ll be tough [at Betis] as we’re playing away.
“We’ll try to start strongly as playing against Madrid means a lot for Betis.
“We have 26 players. For me, the priority each week is that there is an XI and 18 are called up.
“I then think about those who missed out. I think about all of my players.
“When games start coming every three days, we’ll need everyone.
“We’ve improved physically and we’ll continue to do so.
“The data from each training session shows how much we’ve progressed.
“We don’t need to strengthen the squad. I’m happy with the players I have.
“There are players who I haven’t called up, so I won’t look for what I already have.
“Changing the Coach is always a boost. When I work in the week, I look at our opponents.
“Still, I’ll only be focused on ourselves and our performance [on Sunday].
“My players know how difficult [Sunday’s] match will be. We’re all focused.
“I expect the squad to be in their best shape in three weeks, but we can always improve.
“We have four centre-backs with Nacho, not three.
“It’s my responsibility each week. It’s difficult [to leave him out], but it’s better to have four [centre-backs].”
