Real Madrid: An early prediction for the strongest 2020-21 starting XI
By Parshva Shah
Real Madrid is not going to make any big money signings this summer, indicating that Zinedine Zidane is going to rely on the same players he did during the entirety of the 2019-20 season.
With no major signings expected for the next season, Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane will head into the 2020-21 season with the same squad (barring any potential loan deal for Brahim Díaz, the sales of Gareth Bale and James Rodríguez, and the arrival of Andriy Lunin as Thibaut Courtois’ backup in goal) that won La Liga this season.
If I had to give my input on this squad, it palpably needs refinement at a few positions. The squad depth needs to be improved. Casemiro survived 2019-20 as the only defensive midfielder in the squad without any injuries, but Zidane knows that he won’t be as fortunate with fitness second season in succession.
Marc Roca of Espanyol is being linked to Los Blancos since Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga has decided to stay put at Roazhon Park for another season.
Álvaro Odriozola seems to be making a return to the Spanish capital following Achraf Hakimi’s sale to Inter Milan and will play backup at right-back to Dani Carvajal. Real could also do with another central midfielder, but with loanee Óscar Rodríguez (having played impressively over the last two seasons on loan at Leganés and scoring 13 league goals) being listed, it seems Zidane is content with the number of options he currently has at his disposal.
Marco Asensio could be termed a ‘new signing’ because of his availability since day one of the new season.
Predicting line-ups for every single game has been a damp squib for me time after time this season, but I guess it shouldn’t be a tough task to have a go at the strongest and favored XI of Mister Zinedine Zidane.