Real Madrid Striker Set To Leave Next Summer: Should Ancelotti Cut Him Loose? | OneFootball

In a recent report, AS mentioned that Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz is set to leave the Madrid club next summer. It has been claimed that Los Blancos are willing to let the Dominican Republic leave as a free agent when his contract runs out at the end of this campaign.

Diaz’s Impressive Form In Spanish Football

Diaz has played a sporadic role in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad over the past few seasons as he has continued to struggle to earn regular playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The 29-year-old featured in 11 matches for the Madrid giants in the previous campaign, finding the back of the net once and securing one assist on all fronts.

The talented forward saw most of his playing opportunities come as a substitute but still did well to average 1.6 shots, 0.7 key passes and 0.7 dribbles per 90 minutes in the 2021-22 La Liga season. However, he has to find a way to improve his link-up play in the final third based on his pass completion rate of 70% in league football (stats via whoscored).

Diaz’s current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will end next summer, so it makes sense for both parties to part ways with each other.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Should Real Madrid Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti Cut Diaz Loose?

Diaz can use his quickness to make some decent runs with the ball in the final third. He can be a decent finisher in front of the opposition goal when he is playing with confidence on the pitch. The Dominican Republic international can even make a few inviting plays for others around him but needs to figure out a way to earn more game time in the coming seasons. He is primarily a centre-forward but can also operate as a secondary striker alongside someone if required.

For that to happen, Diaz needs to engineer a way to leave next summer. Fortunately, he is on an expiring contract with Los Blancos also planning to let him go. Carlo Ancelotti should definitely think about cutting him loose on a free transfer at the end of this season as he is currently just a rotational piece in Real Madrid‘s match-day squad.

Diaz has fallen behind Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard and Rodrygo in Ancelotti’s pecking order and is surplus to requirements at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Therefore, both the Dominican Republic international and the Madrid club should part ways with each other in search of greener pastures next summer.