What does Mbappé’s move to PSG mean for Real Madrid?
By Ahmed Genina
In the beginning of the transfer market, Real Madrid seemed the closest to signing Mbappé. Now, the young Frenchman’s departure to PSG is official.
According to Goal.com, Didier Dechamps has told reporters that Mbappé is “changing clubs but staying in Ligue 1”.
The biggest mystery though is how will PSG pull off such a move. According to transfermarkt.com they had an income of only €37 million. On the other hand they have spent €238 million per the same website. Their biggest transfer is of course Neymar’s record-breaking €222 million move from Barcelona.
With this news, along with Dembele’s arrival to Barca, Real’s transfer window seems virtually closed. Unless, of course, Florentino Perez decides to target another forward.
Without Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale have been very disappointing. Had it not been for Asensio, Madrid would’ve probably lost to Valencia at home. Moreover, the aggregate scoreline wouldn’t have been as comfortable as it was in the super cup against Barcelona.
I can’t help but feel that Los Blancos still lack finishers. Asensio has shown that he can easily score screamers. However I doubt whether he can currently play as a classical #9. Being able to score from distance doesn’t mean one is necessarily a good finisher in the box.
In Zidane’s 4-4-2 diamond formation, both forwards have to be able to play as classical, no nonsense finishers. Out of the 4 forwards who can play there, Real has only one serious finisher. That’s of course Cristiano Ronaldo.
Benzema wastes chances as if he gets a bonus for wasting them. Bale is struggling to find his form since last season, and he doesn’t seem like regaining it anytime soon. Not to mention that he gets injured frequently throughout the season. Lastly, Mayoral doesn’t seem ready to carry the team’s front line on his shoulders if injuries and/or suspensions plague his aforementioned teammates.
Even in Zidane’s classical 4-3-3 formation, the same problem persists, albeit with a slightly lesser degree. Once again, without Ronaldo the team lacks a deadly player in front of the goal. Fortunately though, the good addition is Isco. The creative Spaniard has proven that he is very capable of playing on the wings. With him on one flank and Asensio on the other, Real’s attack seems more dangerous than a triangle of Asensio/Isco, Bale, and Benzema.
All I can do for now as a Real Madrid fan is pray: Pray that Asensio keeps his beast mode on, that Ronaldo avoids injuries, that Bale regains his form back soon enough AND somehow avoid getting injured. Finally, also pray that if Madrid’s two most expensive players fail to finish the job, our saviour, El Capitan himself, Sergio Ramos, finishes it himself .. in stoppage time!
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