As Luka Jovic looks set to stay at Real Madrid for another season, we look at why he must redeem himself if he wants to stay with Los Blancos.
After the disastrous 2018-19 season, Zinedine Zidane returned to the Bernabeu dugout, the word was he had been assured greater control over affairs including transfers. Real Madrid acted swiftly in the market, getting the likes of Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, and Luka Jovic, who was one of the most sought after young strikers in Europe.
The first season in a White shirt has been tough for Hazard and even moreso for Jovic, who has had his fair share of problems off the pitch, however, rumors of a departure in the latter’s case have refused to die down. Jovic has had a season to forget , and it has been no surprise to see news indicating that his Real Madrid career could be over before it has even begun properly.
With a host of clubs being touted as possible options, the rumors of Jovic leaving on a loan deal to AC Milan or to link up with former boss Niko Kovac at Monaco have been doing the rounds for quite a long time.
Jovic only had 15 appearances in La Liga which translated into 392 minutes and two goals, but it is necessary to note that most of these minutes came in the dying minutes of matches, where he got limited time to settle into the scheme of things, let alone have an impact. His brilliant backheel assist for Casemiro’s goal against Sevilla in what was a tough game overall is a clear indication of his abilities.
A second chance for Luka Jovic at Real Madrid?
Despite the constant talks of a move away from Spain, Jovic seems to have settled on rejuvenating his career in the White shirt. One of the biggest indications in that direction is his recent decision to skip his international duties with Serbia in the Nations League in order to stay and prepare for pre-season in Madrid. Keep in mind, he would have to miss the opening few weeks of the season after returning from international duty as a result of quarantine norms in Spain, as reported by Marca.
The Serbian striker had previously gotten into trouble in his native Serbia and in Madrid as well for flouting coronavirus-related regulations, which had caused quite a row and cast doubts over his future in Madrid. However, his recent decision to continue training in Madrid and excuse himself from international duties while doing so is an indication that Jovic is intent on doing what it takes to redeem himself.
Zidane has often reiterated his trust in the forward and his signing also had Zizou’s approval in the first place. Jovic’s willingness to train in Madrid and be available for selection from the beginning of the season is a welcome sign for his career at the Bernabeu. The La Liga champions will hope that Jovic can replicate the form that led to them paying a reported fee of 60 million euros to secure his services after scoring 27 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, in turn, easing some of the goal-scoring pressure on Karim Benzema and also providing an alternate option for Zidane.
The potential for Luka Jovic to be a ‘new signing’
In terms of ability and playing style, Jovic is a very different player when compared to Benzema, who doesn’t operate like a traditional No. 9. Jovic has the tendency to create space with his movement and get into goal scoring positions, while Benzema looks to get more involved in the build-up, exchanging passes and creating the shooting chance. Jovic has often found himself in isolated situations as a result, however, there have been indications that Zidane has worked on this aspect of Jovic’s game as he has started to drift rather than remaining in central positions.
Fans hope that Jovic will be fully integrated into the system so that Real can make the best use of his abilities and play to his strengths as they have over the years in the case of Benzema, who has been central to Los Blancos’ style.
Jovic can provide an interesting and efficient alternative to Benzema. Real Madrid will have to bring alterations to their style in terms of playmaking to ensure that Jovic finds himself in central areas near the goal, from which he has proved to be one of the most lethal strikers in Europe.
The Serbian’s playing style will be complemented by players who can create spaces for Jovic to run into in the central channel by drawing defenders out of position. This tactic was done superbly by Ante Rebic and Sebastien Haller at Eintracht Frankfurt, which maximized Jovic’s ability to pop up in spaces by allowing him to stay central and use his movement and physical strength to score.
The purported news of Mariano Diaz exiting the capital club will also be a boost to Jovic, which will leave him as the only natural backup for Benzema. That’s unless Real Madrid sign another striker, which seems unlikely at this point in time.
Jovic must repay Zidane’s trust and make the most of the chances he gets, as Zidane has already talked about integrating him into the system over the last season. With Jovic poised to begin training on Monday, he can work on getting himself into good shape and figure more prominently in the scheme of things from the beginning of the season. Since age is on his side and he has Zidane’s backing, if Jovic works on certain aspects of his game, he can adapt himself to be a player for the present as well as the future.