Craig Burley

You know, Vinicius Junior can't talk about his management team and his lacking minutes and their complaints.

Well, they can if Arbolo leaves them out, but that will just fall on deaf ears, I think, this time.

But all these sort of excuses should have gone.

And there's no divine right when you sign for any club, be it Real Madrid or anyone else, that you just pull on the shirt.

and you go out there and you're one of the most talented players in European football and it's going to happen for you, the first thing you've got to do in any game of football, or any sport, any sport, is work as hard or harder than the opponent.

And then the rest of it takes care of itself.

And that is, there is a tactical issue at Real Madrid, there is maybe a balance issue, but the biggest, and I think Nadim touched on it, the biggest issue is definitely starting with the attitude and the desire.

And if you get that right, you've got half a chance.

And if your attitude and desire is not right, your talent alone won't get you over the line.

I liken, and you know I go on about this, but I liken what Eric Garcia is doing at Barcelona to what Real Madrid need in spades and bundles at their place.

Eric Garcia, the squad player that nobody wanted, that City let go, that went and loaned to Girona, that really wasn't going to play a part, and for whatever reason, injuries, form, what he's done, he'll knock on that door and say, right, boss, where am I playing this week?

Right, Eric, you're playing right back.

No problem.

Eric, you're playing centre-back.

You're playing left-back.

Eric, you're playing centre-midfield.

Frankie de Jong's out.

And he goes in and he has been absolutely brilliant.

Not in a sticking out like Rafinha or Lamal or Ferran Torres or Fermin Lopez.

But no, just going in, grafting and grinding and filling holes to make sure that he's doing a job for his manager.