Real Madrid: 3 players who may not start next season

CM Luka Modric

Real Madrid center midfielder Luka Modric had a strong bounce-back season in 2019-2020, scoring three goals with four assists in La Liga. As a whole, the 34-year-old made 22 appearances and 14 starts, recording over 1,300 minutes of action in Spain’s top flight.

Modric can do it all in midfield. He can score great goals from outside the box, set up chances for others, provide hard running in midfield, defend, press, and carry the ball as a dribbler.

And while Modric still has plenty left in the tank at the age of 34, he is no longer an ideal starter. Even though he made more starts than substitute appearances last season and played a significant role in the team, his role should be diminished in 2020-2021 in the final year of his contract. Real Madrid must prepare for life without the former Ballon d’Or winner.

Casemiro, Fede Valverde, and Toni Kroos will be the ideal midfield trio for Real, and if Martin Odegaard makes a surprising early return from loan at Real Sociedad, then Modric’s decrease in minutes will be sealed. He is still an effective player, but Modric will no longer be a regular for Los Blancos next year.