Rafa Benitez admits he’s thrilled to see “top class” Lucas Vazquez blossom at Real Madrid, speaking to Marca amid reports linking the Spain international with Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
While Benitez’s short-lived spell in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout won’t be remembered all that fondly, the former Liverpool boss can at least claim to have left a legacy at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
It was Benitez who brought two promising youngsters to Madrid in summer 2015, handing a fresh-faced Casemiro and a 24-year-old Vazquez their big breaks after fine spells at Porto and Espanyol respectively.
Six years on, Casemiro and Vazquez are two of the first names on Zinedine Zidane’s team sheet, lifting two La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns in that famous white shirt.
But while the former is under contract until 2023, Vazquez looks set to bring a trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid to an end. The versatile wideman will be a free agent in July after rejecting the chance to extend his stay under Zinedine Zidane.
And Benitez isn’t surprised to see one of his most inspired signings come good, silencing his many doubters along the way.
“I’m not (shocked by the rise of Casemiro and Vazquez) because they’re excellent professionals and people,” says the one-time Chelsea and Inter Milan boss.
“Both have proved to be top-class players, those who make their teammates play better.”
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are apparently looking to make Vazquez their latest marquee signing, while Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton have made an offer of their own for James Rodriguez’s former Bernabeu teammate (Deportes Quatro).
The Mirror claims Vazquez has also been offered to London giants Arsenal and Spurs.
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