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Zinedine Zidane hints out-of-favour players should leave Real Madrid

:Headline: Zinedine Zidane hints out-of-favour players should leave Real Madrid: ID:357483: from db_amp
The French manager is expected to recruit heavily at the Bernabeu this summer.

Zinedine Zidane has suggested out-of-favour Real Madrid players should be looking elsewhere for game-time next season and not choosing to stay at the Bernabeu.

Gareth Bale, Isco and Dani Ceballos have all struggled for starts since Zidane returned for a second spell in charge of Real in March.

The trio are all on long-term contracts, but Real are expected to recruit heavily this summer after a turbulent campaign in which they have been way off the pace set by LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Wales striker Gareth Bale has been among the players linked with a move away from Real Madrid this summer (Nick Potts/PA)

"If they're under contract, they can stay here, even if they know that they're not going to get game time," Real manager Zidane said at his press conference before Sunday's visit to city neighbours Rayo Vallecano.

"However, I think that all of them are looking to play.

"If I was asked the question, I'd want to go elsewhere and get more minutes.

"With 22 or 23 players in the squad, the reality in football is that there'll be players who'll end up getting less game time. But if there's no space for a given player, it's better for them to go and play."

Real will be without 30-goal Karim Benzema on Sunday as the France striker is suffering from a knee problem.

But Real will be assured of a Champions League place if they beat relegation-haunted Rayo.

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba have been strongly linked with summer moves to Madrid, while Raul De Tomas could return from his loan spell at Rayo.

Chelsea striker Eden Hazard has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid (Ian Walton/PA)

"I've got a clear idea of what I want to do," Zidane said about his summer dealings. "I know about the profiles of player and everything, not every single name.

"But I'm clear about what I want to achieve next year and we're working towards that.

"There are four games to go and then we'll have to see. We'll have to see how we do things, but our idea is to bolster our attacking options."

“I'm clear about what I want to achieve next year and we're working towards that.”
- Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane

On the possible return of 14-goal De Tomas, Zidane added: "That's an issue between the clubs. I'm not going to say any more because I'm not in charge of that.

"It's an agreement between Real Madrid and Rayo and it has to be respected. He's a player that I coached when he was with Castilla and he's got no shortage of talent.

"Perhaps what he was missing was the opportunity to play for a top-flight team and he's doing very well and has scored a lot of goals this season.

"He links up well with his team-mates, knows how to play good football and I'm really happy for him."

Rayo head into the weekend knowing they could be cut nine points adrift in the drop zone and their relegation fate all but sealed.

"It is very simple," said Rayo manager Paco Jemez. "We need to win and we have to do it against one of the best in the league.

"But that's no excuse, let's try to make it a big game. We have to, because if we don't win then things will be impossible."

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514
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