Real Madrid: Takefusa Kubo is ready for his next challenge

Takefusa Kubo’s first season with Real Madrid was a successful one, as he flashed playmaking potential on loan at Mallorca.

Real Madrid have a tantalizing mix of established world-class veterans and up-and-coming playmakers in midfield. Martin Odegaard stole the show in 2019-2020 while on loan at Real Sociedad, establishing himself as one of La Liga’s best overall players. But Takefusa Kubo’s talent was on display at Mallorca, too.

Kubo only started in 13 games for Mallorca last season, playing in under 1,500 minutes. However, Kubo scored winning goals and showed dazzling skills on the ball.

In his first season as a first-team player in Spain’s top flight, Kubo scored three goals and two assists. Along with Ante Budimir and Fran Gamez, Kubo was one of Mallorca’s most impressive players and would have been their team MVP if the club game him more chances.

Just 18, Kubo is an attacking midfielder with a world of potential. It’s potential that will be unlocked at a bigger club than Mallorca, who were doomed to the relegation battle despite some bright moments, including a magical 1-0 win at home over Real Madrid in October.

This summer, Real Madrid will have a decision to make regarding their most impressive attacking midfielder, Odegaard. They can either honor the two-year loan agreement with La Real or call Odegaard back sooner to replace Luka Modric, who could finish his career in Serie A or the MLS.

If Odegaard joins Los Blancos for first-team football in 2020-2021, Kubo could move to Sociedad as his replacement as the team’s No. 10. Play would run through him, and after being mistreated by Mallorca, Kubo could take on huge responsibilities for one of Spain’s stronger clubs.

It would be a big leap for Kubo, but his exciting dribbles and big-time goals from outside the box provided glimpses of the star potential in the Japan international.

Kubo averaged 1.9 fouls drawn per game and 1.4 dribbles per game, per WhoScored.com, as Mallorca’s most talented player on the ball. In terms of efficiency, only striker Budimir averaged more non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes among regular players.

Although Kubo still has more developing to do, the teenager has shown that he’s ready for the next step in his career with Real Madrid. It will take some time for Kubo to join the first-team for Los Blancos, as his decision-making and passing accuracy will need to keep being refined. But the quality, initiative, and creativity are all there in spades.