Real Madrid: The 3 biggest concerns heading into 2021

Injuries and depth issues

I would say that injuries are the No. 1 concern for Real Madrid as the team gets ready for more non-stop football. While there will be fewer back-to-back games in the near future wherein two games are played per week, that won’t be the case when the Copa del Rey and Champions League matches take place.

Eden Hazard’s injuries are concerning, and now Real Madrid have to worry about a potential lengthy absence to his best replacement, Rodrygo Goes. In midfield, Casemiro, Martin Odegaard, and Fede Valverde have all missed significant time this season. And in defense, Real has lost Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos to injury.

The midfield depth is the most concerning, but I’d also be worried about the forward positions. Hazard can’t be consistently counted on, sadly, and we saw how much Real struggled when Karim Benzema missed time at striker. Real rely on Benzema to carry the day as the team’s top scorer and an important chance-creator.

Los Blancos probably won’t sign anyone this winter, but they could sell Isco or even loan Luka Jovic. Honestly, I would advise against Real Madrid doing either, though it’s complicated in Isco’s case due to the player’s desire to leave. Losing one of those players would cut into Real’s depth even more, and that could prove costly in a title race in which you never know who will pop up as a key contributor. Remember, Isco was that key player down the stretch last season!