Real Madrid: What if Takefusa Kubo is recalled from loan to the first team?

One of Real Madrid’s jewels is on loan at Villarreal but not getting enough minutes. Could Takefusa Kubo help the first team?

Real Madrid cannot overreact after the 1-0 loss to Cadiz, but they must react. Going into the match, Zinedine Zidane had to know starting Nacho Fernandez, Marcelo, and Lucas Vazquez with no defensive presence in midfielder was going to be trouble.

Los Blancos paid dearly and did not score either, highlighting the continued offensive struggles that, at one point, seemed to be dissipating amidst chances created and goals at Real Betis and Levante.

Earlier this year, in response to a horrible loss to Manchester City, Zidane recalled attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard from loan. He is injured now, but his performances for club and country have shown world-class ability.

Takefusa Kubo is 19 and not quite at Odegaard’s level yet, but he is not far off either. He was named one of La Liga’s biggest breakout players despite not playing a meaningful role for Mallorca until later in the season.

Real Madrid thought Takefusa Kubo would get a chance to take the next step at Villarreal this season

Real Madrid wanted him to take the next step in 2020-2021, so a bigger loan deal was in order after his impressive performances at Mallorca. Los Blancos ultimately settled on a move to Villarreal despite interest from teams like Sevilla, Osasuna, Ajax, and even Bayern.

Instead of becoming a key player for Unai Emery, Kubo has been a bench player. He has started zero games, coming off the bench in six with no more than 26 minutes played in any one game. Yet he has four key passes, six dribbles completed, and three fouls drawn in 81 minutes. So in a full 90, imagine what he could do for Villarreal.

I’m not saying Real Madrid should recall Takefusa Kubo’s loan, but the funny thing is that he’d probably play more than 81 minutes for Los Blancos, given that he’s a left-footer who can play as a right winger or attacking midfielder. Real need goal-scorers the most, yes, but Kubo’s dribbling skills and creativity wouldn’t hurt. And he showed a bit of a goal-scoring touch at Mallorca.

It’s more likely and more logical for Los Blancos to loan Kubo somewhere else if Emery continues to fail at giving Kubo minutes. Real loaned him to Villarreal so he could play in the Europa League and take on more responsibility with consistent playing time at a notable club.

Takefusa Kubo would not be out of place in Real Madrid’s first team

If Villarreal can’t offer that and if Real realize they are missing a piece in the attack, I don’t think it’s far-fetched for them to recall Kubo to the first team. If Lucas Vazquez can draw starts and if Gareth Bale could get 1,000 minutes last season, then isn’t Kubo already first-team quality? As a left-footer, he may be a better fit on the right side than Rodrygo Goes, too, as Rodrygo has not started since Matchday 1 at Real Sociedad.

At the very least, the possibility of Takefusa Kubo playing first-team football post-winter for Real Madrid is something Madridistas should keep an open mind to. It’s not likely, but if a certain storm of events takes place, it could happen.