One or two Real Madrid fans will fondly remember the transfer summer of 2009. The then freshly elected head of Real Florentino Pérez opened Pandora’s box and brought in superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Karim Benzema. In recent years, however, there has been a lot of restraint when it comes to big purchases.
The stadium renovation and the ongoing corona pandemic are currently ensuring that shopping trips like those from 2009 are simply no longer possible. Most recently you could almost get the impression that the Spanish record champions are dependent on sales, and the departures of Sergio Ramos (PSG) and Raphaël Varane (ManUnited) are classic collateral damage of the current situation.
But regardless of how such drastic transfers come about: The Madrilenians are facing a change.
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Eurosport.de takes a look at the current Real squad: Where is there still room for improvement? Who are the wobbly candidates? Who is seated under Carlo Ancelotti?
Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
Fotocredit: Getty Images
Courtois set in goal
The Belgian Thibaut Courtois was solid as a rock last season. With several brilliant parades and a strong anticipation, he saved his team one point or the other. He has also proven his good form during the European Championships.
It would have to go hand in hand with the devil or an injury that the 29-year-old will not guard the Real goal as the clear number one. Andriy Lunin is available as a substitute keeper. The Ukrainian, who so far only played 120 minutes, is said to have great talent.
Post-Ramos-Do not
As clear as the case in the gate looks, it should be more complicated a station in front of it. With captain Ramos and his congenial partner Varane, Real recently gave up two pillars.
“Together we exceeded all expectations and achieved things that I could never have dreamed of,” said Varane, saying goodbye to Los Blancos’ fans.
Daniel Carvajal’s contract extension announced on Thursday should at least have brought some calm to the squad planning of the Madrilenians. In Marcelo, an experienced left defender has remained on board, as has Nacho and Éder Militão, who more than adequately replaced Varane and Ramos in the last season’s finish.
Real’s latest addition is David Alaba. The Austrian came from FC Bayern Munich free of charge and can be used variably on the defensive. “David is a complete player who has a lot of class. He’s tactically very intelligent on the defensive too,” Ancelotti recently enthused about the former Bayern star and added: “I’ve used David as a central defender at Bayern in the last few games and he did it very well. “
Should Ancelotti bet on his proven 4-3-3, Alaba will probably take the part as the left central defender and Nacho and Militão will fight for the remaining place in the center of the defense. It remains to be seen how much his corona infection will affect him.
David Alaba in training for his new club Real Madrid
Fotocredit: Getty Images
With Ferland Mendy, Álvaro Odriozola and the recently awarded ex-Frankfurt Jesús Vallejo, the Madrilenians also have more defensive quality in their own ranks. In any case, it seems certain that Real will not look for a replacement for the defense even after the two departures, which is why Ancelotti has to get by with the existing player material and a new era is initiated.
New start with Isco?
Luka Modrić was always seeded in midfield under Zinedine Zidane. Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde were also part of the regular staff.
And then there is a certain Isco. The Spaniard recently ran behind his form for long stretches and therefore found himself on the bench more often than on the pitch. However, Ancelotti was already a fan of the 29-year-old in his first term at Real Madrid. At that time, Isco repaid the trust with strong performances.
Isco Alarcón und Carlo Ancelotti
Fotocredit: Getty Images
It is quite possible that the attacking midfielder will benefit from the coaching change. Another advantage of Isco is that he was able to use the full season preparation at Real during the summer, while his colleagues Modrić, Casemiro, Valverde and Kroos each worked for their national teams at the European Championship finals.
It remains to be seen what happens to the two returnees from Arsenal, Martin Ødegaard and Dani Ceballos. Here, however, the signs are once again pointing to goodbye. Ødegaard had recently indicated that he could envisage a renewed loan. According to reports, Ceballos would like to talk to Ancelotti first.
Will Bale and Hazard remain?
The future prospects of Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard are likely to have improved significantly with the signing of Ancelotti. The Welshman is going into his contractually last Real Real season and is hoping for more playing times under the Italian.
When asked about his reunion with Ancelotti, Bale recently replied on Sky Sports: “We had a great time together at Real Madrid. It’s great for Real to have him. I’m sure he will do great.”
Ancelotti has also been consistently positive about the 32-year-old, who is returning to the Spanish capital after his loan to Tottenham: “I know him very well. He can play a great season, I have no doubt about that.”
In view of the offensive, not always convincing performances of the royal team in the past season, Madrid will be pleased with a player with Bale’s final qualities.
At Hazard, the signs were increasingly pointing to whereabouts, especially since there was apparently no buyer for the 30-year-old. Nonetheless, Ancelotti will most likely rely on the Belgian.
Mbappé and Benzema as a storm duo?
And again we would have reached the transfer summer of 2009. The longing of the Real fans for the signing of Kylian Mbappé is increasing from year to year. And not just longing – this transfer is slowly becoming a necessity. Little went forward, especially in the past season. You could only rely on Benzema here. A sad circumstance, because there would have been no lack of quality on the offensive.
Marco Asensio has not been able to build on his best form so far and the two young Brazilians Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo have only improved marginally in the past two seasons. For Mariano Diaz and Luka Jović, who rarely played under Zidane, the cards should now also be reshuffled under Ancelotti.
But Real Madrid fans are not exactly famous for patience. The fact that the last transfers for the offensive did not work as desired now reinforces the fans’ desire for a real exceptional striker. Mbappé should come and best go hunting for goals with his French strike partner Benzema in the white jersey.
Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema at the EM 2020
Fotocredit: Imago
So the commitment of a superstar is probably just a castle in the air.
