Real Madrid: 3 major concerns that need to be addressed heading into the new season

Real Madrid’s midfield depth

With Dani Ceballos’ loan extension back to Arsenal and James Rodriguez’s move to Everton almost done, Real Madrid now have five recognised midfielders in the squad. Isco and Martin Odegaard are more offensively focused while Luka Modric, who turns 35 years old on the 9th of September, will need more spells of rest and will be brought on to control games whenever his experience is required.

Casemiro and Toni Kroos are normally subject to long periods of game time/game weeks without rest because of the lack of backup midfielders.

Real Madrid have looked below par and sluggish on the defensive standpoint whenever Casemiro has missed games due to injuries or suspensions. Arguably the most important cog in the Real Madrid engine, the defensive midfielder has no backup.

Carlos Henrique Casemiro is the safety net that keeps the widely admired Real Madrid backline intact. He plays a destroyer role that sees him constantly throwing himself on the line and bringing down opposition forwards on the counter-attack. Someone who does the dirty, yet essential, work with aggression and physicality while also sacrificing his game so that the rest of the team flourishes. Someone who isn’t the most technically gifted or the most talented player in the squad, yet, is absolutely vital to the balance in Zidane’s system.

The alarming issue at hand currently is the backup for Casemiro’s position. With no natural defensive midfielder as a backup, Fede Valverde can slot in and can play this role as we’ve seen before. Even though Fede tries his hardest, the shortcomings are widely visible. That isn’t his natural position and he has looked well off the level required for the ‘Casemiro role’ in Zizou’s system.

Casemiro led the league rankings in tackles attempted (112), tackles won (75), and interceptions (74), which exactly highlights his contributions in his role — stopping counters and sweeping off opposition attacks.

Even though the transfer window is open for another month, it looks like Real won’t be making any signings in this transfer window. In the current window, they look more concerned about clearing the hefty wage bill in the squad, in the midst of their rebuild. Zidane has no choice but will have to rotate and work with the options in hand.