Real Madrid: Regrading 2019 summer transfers in May

Real Madrid made several significant signings in the summer of 2019 as part of the “Revolution”. One year later in May, it’s time for a regrade.

Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane are prioritizing young players for Real Madrid, building a formidable squad and loan army stocked with the world’s best up-and-coming talents.

One year after signing Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid landed another teenage forward from Brazil with Ballon d’Or potential in Rodrygo Goes, who starred for Santos.

But Real didn’t stop at signing young players or attackers. They landed a couple of quality defenders, signed a keeper on loan, and, of course, picked up Eden Hazard for a cool 100 million euros from Chelsea.

Nearly one year later, it’s time to regrade all the summer 2019 transfers.

GK Alphonse Areola

Alphonse Areola only started seven games across all competitions, including three in La Liga, but he was a strong backup goalkeeper for Thibaut Courtois. Early in the season, some fans wondered if Areola could start over Courtois, especially after Areola’s clean sheet against Osasuna and Courtois’ first-half struggles against Club Brugge.

However, Courtois clearly established himself as the better option, allowing 0.82 goals per 90 minutes in all competitions compared to Areola’s 1.20 with a 46.9% to 28.6% clean sheet percentage advantage.

That said, Areola was a positive loan signing from PSG. He accepted his backup role gracefully, supported the team, and was willing to take on an active role in the back four. It would be great for Real Madrid to extend his loan so that Andriy Lunin can receive starting minutes at a bigger Spanish club in 2020-2021.

Grade: B