Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane to give returning star preference at RW?

Real Madrid attacking midfielder Marco Asensio has been working hard to return to the pitch whenever the season returns, and he could get the first shot at replacing Gareth Bale.

The right wing position looks like the biggest hole in Real Madrid starting XI heading into the 2020-2021 season. While Los Blancos have been linked to strikers and do need a primary scorer alongside Karim Benzema, it is highly unlikely the club is able to sign a star player in this transfer window. Top targets Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will clearly not be available.

But Real could find a great replacement for Gareth Bale at right wing, since the Wales international will likely be sold this summer if a suitor can be found. (Newcastle United have moved to the forefront as an option for Bale.)

According to a report from Tomas Roncero of AS, Marco Asensio, who is back in training after a pre-season ACL tear, “knows he’ll get a chance” to start at right wing.

Per Roncero, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane “appreciates” the player’s natural ability and is also an admirer of how Asensio is committed to Los Blancos.

Asensio has plenty of admirers among fans as well, so they’d love to see Asensio get the first crack at the wing position opposite of Eden Hazard, who is the guaranteed starter.

The left-footed Asensio can provide a goal-scoring threat on the right. Consistency will be the question mark in the goal contributions column, but talent won’t be. After all, Asensio is responsible for some absolute wondergoals, as he can shoot rockets from well beyond the box. This scoring threat from distance could pay dividends.

Asensio will have competition, though. Youngster Rodrygo Goes has world-class ability, which he showed against Galatasaray with his perfect hat-trick last season. Bale may stick around if no suitor can be found. Achraf Hakimi has been great in an attacking role for Borussia Dortmund and is a great creator on the right side.

But based on Zidane’s high opinion of Asensio, don’t be surprised if the Spain international becomes the starting right winger in the 2020-2021 season.