Football
Adriana Garcia 9y

Jese Rodriguez wants to fight for place at Real Madrid

Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez is eager to show he can be an important player for the club under new coach Rafa Benitez.

Jese, who returned from a serious knee injury in December, is looking to make an impression in preseason and scored Real's opener in their 3-0 triumph over Inter Milan on Monday in the International Champions Cup.

While reports in the Spanish press recently claimed the 22-year-old could be sent out on loan in order to earn more playing time, the player told Marca: "I've never wanted to leave this club.

"I am very grateful to the club, also to our coach, who is counting on me and has shown his confidence in me. I'm here and I'm ready to fight.

"I will try to do the best I can each time I get an opportunity to play."

Jese enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2013-14, scoring five goals in 18 La Liga appearances, before injuring his right knee that March.

After recovering and returning to the squad in December, he went on to make 22 appearances in all competitions.

"I feel good, better each time," he said. "We have a great squad. My aims are always the same, to help the team, to fight for this jersey.

"What I needed was to take part in a preseason. It was complicated to return to playing midway through the campaign but once you go through the first year after an injury, things are different.

"Each time I feel much better."

Jese has Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema ahead of him in the pecking order.

"I don't care which position I play forward because I like all of them," he said. "I can adapt. I have the same confidence as I've always had.

"I'm going to continue to fight."

Real are looking to hit back from a disappointing campaign.

Los Blancos failed to win La Liga, the Champions League or the Copa del Rey and the club sacked coach Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the campaign.

"I see the team really motivated and this season we are going to give our all," Jese said. "Our coach likes to work a lot and takes care of every detail.

"He is going to prove what a great coach he is."

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