The changes needed at Real Madrid
By Yasheel Vyas
Players who could join the club
Real Madrid definitely need some squad changes at both ends of the pitch. Not replacing Cristiano Ronaldo was the biggest mistake Perez made though there were not enough options available in the market.
The other issue is in the defense where the team struggles a lot when they play without captain Sergio Ramos. A young confident center back is needed as Nacho has regressed a lot this season and Vallejo remains injured for the most part.
1. Eden Hazard
Hazard has been constantly flirting with Madrid since the start of the season and has refused to sign a contract extension with Chelsea thus far. The player is more likely to come in the summer transfer window but due to an untimely transfer ban to Chelsea, the deal could run into some complications.
Hazard is a great dribbler and controls the ball well in tight spaces and will help Madrid to break down stubborn defenses as almost every team now parks the bus against them.
2. Kylian Mbappe
Kylian is the best young player in the world right now and easily top five amongst all attackers. Real Madrid needs a right winger who can consistently give them meaningful contributions and Mbappe is the perfect choice.
He almost joined Real Madrid last season but Perez’ refusal to sell Bale saw him joining PSG. Mbappe would be the perfect heir to Ronaldo’s throne. He has immense pace and an eye for goal and has the capability to cover at least 30 of Ronaldo’s 50 goals left behind.
Dealing with PSG is not an easy task and it seems unlikely they are going to sell Mbappe unless the player pushes for it. There are no release clauses as well in the French League.
3. Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardi is the most realistic forward option right now given all his controversy going on with Inter. Icardi was recently stripped of his captaincy and hasn’t signed a new contract with the Italian club.
The Inter president is known to play hard ball and thus is taking measures for Icardi to make his decision as soon as possible. He is not a Benzema or Kane type striker who can hold onto the ball well and combines with his fellow attackers, but he is a more clinical finisher.
He would make barely 20-30 touches in a game but he would bury the chances coming his way. It would be a decent signing for Real Madrid having played with Benzema up top for 10 seasons.
4. Harry Kane
He is the perfect Benzema replacement for Real Madrid. He has the capability to score 30-40 goals a season and has the ability to link up the way Benzema does.
Kane is the complete no. 9 and has proven himself at Spurs with a consistent goalscoring ability. He is good on the ball, great at heading, and his conversion rate from the spot is amazing too.
The main problem though will be dealing with Spurs’ chairman who won’t ask for anything less than 200-300 million for the best British striker right bow. On top of that, Kane signed a contract with Spurs last season and totally believes in the Spurs project.
5. Mattias De Ligt
The 19 year old Ajax captain is one of the hottest prospects in world football right now. All the top clubs are looking for his signature including Real Madrid.
De Ligt is rumored to be a Barca fan and is likely to join his teammate Frenkie De Jong at Barca. Real Madrid is in dire need of a center back right now given Ramos’ age and there aren’t any good enough back-ups for him within the club right now.
Barcelona – on the other hand – has enough quality center backs which may make it difficult for them to get De Ligt’s signature. The Dutch defender won’t leave Amsterdam for anything less than 60-70 million and Florentino may be unwilling to spend that much on a defender.
6. Eder Militao
The 19-year-old Portuguese center back is rumored to have reached a verbal agreement with Real Madrid. The teenager would cost about 50 million as Florentino’s policy of signing top young talents continues.
Eder is an aggressive center back and a great tackler. He is pretty good at headers too and has the potential to be one of the world’s best in the future. He starts alongside Pepe for FC Porto at the heart of the defense and hopefully can learn a thing or two from the former Madrid man.
This signing if it becomes official will rule out signing De Ligt who is better than the Brazilian currently.