Real Madrid: Four players who need a headstart this season

Marco Asensio

Marco Asensio joined Real Madrid after spending a season on loan at Espanyol. Asensio was destined for greatness; having reached double figures for assists provided in his first season in La Liga as a 20-year-old. The Mallorca born midfielder continued his stellar form at Santiago Bernabeu and impressed everyone scoring on his debut in all competitions as a Real Madrid player.

Two brilliant seasons in La Liga and Asensio now in his second season with Real Madrid, the expectations of him grew multiple folds. Expectations grew, and so did the numbers. Asensio grew and that left the impression that he was ready for the next big leap. Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid to join Juventus, and president Florentino Perez turned towards his number 20 to fill the big boots.

Asensio faltered after being put under pressure and never looked like the same player in the last three seasons. What followed couldn’t have been any worse as Asensio suffered an injury that has destroyed many careers. Asensio suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee, missing most of Real’s league winning campaign.

Now 24-years-old and to be 25 in a few months, Asensio is beginning what could be the most important season of his career. If he comes up short here, there will be questions raised over his future at Valdebebas. Make no mistake, Asensio is still one of the best talents Spain has on offer. But Real have some exciting alternatives to the Spaniard on the right wing. Takefusa Kubo, Martin Odegaard, and Kylian Mbappe are some of the players who perhaps would make that position of their own in the future.

Asensio would, therefore, not only want to have a fast start to his season but also would look to finally try and share some of the loads from Karim Benzema in the attacking department throughout the season. He will also have all the support he could ask for from his manager as Zidane prefers him over anyone else from the squad for the right wing.