Real Madrid: Lucas Vazquez cannot overvalue himself

Real Madrid right winger Lucas Vazquez has been a surprise standout in the 2020-2021 season, but he should not push his luck.

Luka Modric seems to be re-signed by the club, so now Real Madrid turn their focus toward renewing captain Sergio Ramos and wide man Lucas Vazquez.

Ramos is, of course, the priority. He is the talisman and arguably the greatest center back to ever play the game. His goal-scoring record, prowess in the team’s build-up play, defending, and, of course, leadership all speak for themselves.

But Vazquez is also a player worth keeping. We may have sung a different tune about the forward in the 2019-2020 season, because he was the worst player on the team not named “Gareth Bale”.

Fast forward to 2021, and Vazquez is a sure-fire starter. He has become the starting right winger at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Should Real Madrid be satisfied that they are in a situation where Vazquez is their best option at the position? No, but Vazquez himself should be commended for winning the starting job and turning up his performances to an “A” when the team desperately needed to bounce back from a second loss to Shakhtar Donetsk.

The problem is that Vazquez cannot overestimate his value amidst this run of form. He has proven time and time again, even amidst our criticisms, that he is a valuable squad player. Vazquez has a place in Madrid, especially with Zinedine Zidane in charge.

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However, his decision to reject Real’s recent renewal offer is a risky one.

Vazquez is well within his right to value himself highly. Every player should stand up for themselves in negotiations, because, with the exception of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, no single player is as powerful as an entire football club. Vazquez is no exception.

And because Vazquez is no exception, he’s taking a huge risk. Yes, he has become the starting right winger and has shown that he has what it takes to be a good backup right back option for Dani Carvajal even after the 2020-2021 season. But how much better is he than Marco Asensio or Rodrygo Goes on the right-hand side? Let’s kick it back to the defense. How much better is he than Alvaro Odriozola.

Vazquez is valuable. But amidst a time of great economic uncertainty AND a rebuild that necessitates saving up for a superstar goal-scorer, a player who does not exactly bang home the goals or bring world-class technical quality to the table is not indispensable. Vazquez is valuable, but he is, unfortunately for him, not a “must” on the level of the two other Madrid players on expiring contracts in Ramos and Modric.

That means is Vazquez plays his cards too aggressively, Real Madrid could show him the door. They may not want to, but if you could only keep two of the three players in order to squeeze in a signing in 2021, you’d probably pick against Vazquez, right? It’s a sad fact for the Galician standout, but he is in a no-win situation.

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There is one final question for Vazquez, whose love for Real Madrid is unquestionable, to ponder. Which club gives him the best chance to win, feel valued, and add to his legacy? The “feel valued” part of the equation is the only one liable to change based on money, which is understandable. However, I have a hard time seeing any other club in Europe willing to give more money to him than Los Blancos.

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