Real Madrid Just Got Murdered: Questions Loom Large For Los Blancos and Zidane
2018-19 was a season to forget for Los Blancos. Not only did that summer see them lose their all-time greatest player in Cristiano Ronaldo, but they were also unable to capture a domestic trophy for the first time in what seems like forever. After winning the past 3 Champions Leagues, the former champions were sent home in the round of 16 by a young Ajax team. Back home in La Liga, Madrid finished 3rd, a whopping 23 points behind league winners and arch rivals FC Barcelona.
However, with the most recent Ballon Dor winner, Luka Modric, in midfield and a defense that boasts the likes of Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, and Marcelo, the Real Madrid dynasty is far from over. The current XI just needs some reworking, and the most important place to start is between the sticks with the goalkeeper.
May the Best Man Win
While losing Ronaldo in the summer transfer window, Madrid were able to make a few key signings, including the former Chelsea Goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. The big Belgian was coming off an absolutely inspiring World Cup performance, which would earn him the 2018 World Cup Golden Glove Award, given to the best goalkeeper at the tournament. Things seemed to be on the up and up, as this performance certainly cemented Courtois’ position among the top goalkeepers in the world. Unfortunately, his first season at the Bernabeu did not live up to expectations. Immediately replacing former number one keeper, Keylor Navas, many were surprised that there was no competition for the spot, as Navas held down the sticks for Madrid’s three consecutive Champions league finals. In Courtois’ inaugural season with Los Blancos, several mistakes and uninspired performances led him to a stat line of 36 goals against in 27 games played, a higher amount of goals conceded then any of Navas’s seasons in a Real Madrid jersey.
With manager Zidane returning to the club, there is sure to be a shift at the goalkeeper position. Under Zidane, Navas was the undisputed number one. Zidane’s confidence in Navas is clear, as he benched Courtois in several fixtures towards the end of the season. With Zidane’s son Luca also being the third-choice goalkeeper out on loan and Madrid once again missing out on the signing of Manchester United’s, David De Gea, the position is truly up for grabs. Hopefully the early stages of the season will determine who Madrid’s number one will be, as they search for a new team identity moving forward into the coming season.
Bag chasin’
So the position for Real’s starting keeper position is up in the air but there looms an even bigger questions. Gareth Bale, who was brought in for what once was a club record fee, reportedly has a new club. Is it a move to yet another one of Europe’s giants? A return to the Premier League? No. He’s heading to China.
For me this confirms one thing. That it’s all about the money for Bale. According to BBC.com, Bale will be making approximately $1 million a week which is absoutely mind-boggling.
I think Madrid is smart for off-loading Bale but why he’s going to China confuses me. Obviously the enormous amounts of money that are being thrown his way is swaying his decision. But he’s only 30! He might not be what he once was but he’s certainly better than this.
For Madrid, they will look like the good guys... well kind of. By moving to China Bale’s making it clear that it’s all about the money. But on the other hand, he’s played vital roles in Real’s recent Champions League quests. Does he owe anything else to Madrid? I think not.
To add to the drama, Marcos Asensio suffered a knee injury that will most likely sideline him for the entirety of the upcoming season. The young Spanish winger was linked with numerous clubs this summer but his services have been invaluable for Madrid.
Now, all eyes will be on Eden Hazard. The Belgian super star was brought in from Chelsea this summer to help fill the void left by Ronaldo and to help Madrid rediscover their dominance. There’s no doubt in my mind that Hazard will thrive in a Madrid shirt. But like Chelsea, he may be one his own. Here’s what I mean.
With Asensio out for the season and Bale most likely out the door, Hazard will have little help on the widths of the pitch. Lucas Vazquez will most likely see a lot minutes at right forward but is it time to see more of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo? The two teenagers have tremendous potential but here’s what bothers me.
In a matter of a couple years, Madrid went from prime Ronaldo, Bale, and Benzema, to Hazard, Benzema and Vazquez. I don’t actually know who will play on the right flank (I’m assuming Vazquez will) but isn’t that a signifcant downgrade?
Hazard is world-class but he’s no Ronaldo and prime Bale was unstoppable (way way better than Asensio or Vazquez). I’m not counting Benzema out just yet. He practically carried Madrid towards the tail end of last season. He was the only player on Real to score a goal in the month of April. The dynamic between him and Luka Jovic will be an interesting one. Perhaps they’ll play together on the pitch at the same time?
So a question looms large for Madrid. Like the question of who will be Real’s first choice keeper, who will be their first choice right-forward? Vazquez, Vinicus Jr, Rodrygo? We shall see.
Old Heads
Is Madrid shooting themselves in the foot by relying too much on club legends? By that I mean aging players. Sergio Ramos and Lukas Modric are both 33-years-old. Are they washed? Absolutely not and do they still have some good years left? I think so. But if one thing is for sure, it’s that Madrid can’t rely on them forever. At some point they will start to deteriorate.
Last year, I thought these were problem players for Madrird. That they were slowing down much needed development of the clubs younger players. But that isn’t the case anymore. With an array of young pieces that will most likely be called into action quicker than anticipated, Ramos and Modric’s experience is precious (along with Benzema).
Last night, right her in the US of A, Real was thrashed 7-3 by cross town rivals Atletico Madrid. The score was 5-0 at half and the match made it seem like Real was right back where they ended last season.
There’s a lot going on at Real Madrid. Is there too much drama to stage a successful season? Maybe. But I doubt Zidane will let them fall as far as they did last season. The additions of Hazard and Jovic are major plus the departure of Bale will let Madrid breath as they won’t have to pay his monumental wages anymore and the drama will leave with him (hopefully).
The trio of Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Jr, and Rodrygo will most likely battle for a starting spot on the right flank and Courtois and Navas fill fight for the starting spot in goal. Ferland Mendy will challenge Marcelo at left back (if he can get and stay healthy), and Eder Militao will add depth to the center-back position.
Don’t forget that Madrid had a huge transfer window. Yes, they just got murderd by Atletico but things should be on the come-up. Getting the last solid drops out of Ramos and Modric while incorporating new pieces (especially the young ones) is no easy task. Real Madrid just might be the most interesting team to watch this season. There really is no telling what direction the club is heading in right about now.
Piece by Mitch Capitula and Matthew Sweeney