Since there is a pause in the 2019-2020 La Liga and Champions League campaigns, it’s time to take a look back at Real Madrid’s 2019 summer transfer window.
Because of the uncertain financial situation in football with no games played and no fans in attendance when games do resume, Real Madrid probably won’t have an active summer transfer window despite the rumors linking them to a variety of players, specifically goal-scoring forwards.
However, Real Madrid did buy a trio of talented attacking players in the 2019 summer transfer window, in addition to reinforcements at other positions across the pitch. Let’s draw some early conclusions on these new additions, based on what we’ve seen thus far in 2019-2020.
First up, the attackers. Eden Hazard was brought in for about 100 million euros after being the Premier League’s best player for a handful of years. Injuries denied Hazard an opportunity to lead Real Madrid as the Santiago Bernabeu’s new superstar, but he was a tremendous talent on the ball for Los Blancos when healthy, showing incredible chemistry with Karim Benzema.
Hazard, Benzema, and fellow 2019 summer signing Rodrygo Goes formed Real’s best attacking trident last season. A healthy Hazard will mean everything to Los Blancos, given how unstoppable he was with the ball at his feet. Any fans doubting his ability to impact this team will be proven wrong.
Rodrygo, over the long term, has the most promise of any of Real’s additions in 2019. His perfect hat trick against Galatasaray in the Champions League was an encapsulation of his talent, but his debut goal against Osasuna was a rapid-fire example of his readiness. Real have taken his development slow, and that’s wise. But don’t be surprised if he becomes the sure-fire starter in the second half of 2020-2021 if no right wing additions can be made.
Luka Jovic is also worth praising as a superstar of the future. He was a free-scoring striker for Eintracht Frankfurt, and while he featured in fewer than 800 minutes across all competitions last season, he had a few magical moments – none more so than his game-winning backheel assist for Casemiro vs. Sevilla.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid’s best signing in terms of 2019-2020 impact was left back Ferland Mendy. He is already one of the best defensive fullbacks in world football and can hold down that position, along with returning loanee Sergio Reguilon. But because of his defensive work and fast-improving attacking ability, the tactically intelligent Lyon signing will be more important to Real.
Los Blancos also added Eder Militao, who showed world-class potential and was even better than Sergio Ramos and Rapahel Varane in the air when looking at aerial duels won per 90 minutes and percentage of aerial duels won. Loan signing Alphonse Areola may not stick around for another year, but he should. He is the perfect backup for Thibaut Courtois.
As a whole, Real Madrid had a strong 2019 summer transfer window. Mendy is already a key player, Hazard will be the team’s best player when healthy, Rodrygo and Jovic are future superstar attackers, Areola was a nifty addition on loan, and Militao has serious potential.