Real Madrid are headed for a crucial summer where difficult decisions will need to be made in order to ensure the continued long-term success of the organization. Florentino Perez’s poorly-constructed strategy has led to issues in the 2020-2021 season, and while Real are still competitive, the league title itself now seems out of reach.
But there is reason for hope with so many talented young players on loan or in the first team. A few players still need a lot of work, but there are others who could be ready for a breakout 2021. Here are three such players.
FW Brahim Diaz
On loan at Milan, Brahim Diaz could potentially be purchased permanently by the Rossoneri, who have been in first place for much of the 2020-2021 Serie A campaign. Brahim has impressed in Milan, and it’s fair to say that he has been the most impressive of the Real Madrid loanees this season. Then again, with competition like Reinier Jesus and Gareth Bale, that’s not necessarily effusive praise in and of itself.
But Brahim has been very good. He has created chances all on his lonesome with his pressing, dribbling inside the penalty box, and quick work in transition. Brahim has four goals and two assists in all competitions, but his work in supporting his teammates with his effort and intelligence off the ball has been just as impressive.
At 21, Brahim is showing why he has the ability to become a quality player for Real Madrid. I am somewhat skeptical of his ability to be a first-team player in 2021-2022, but it would be wrong for me to write him off. This season, he has shown a lot more ability in the final third than Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, and even Vinicius Junior.
RW Rodrygo Goes
Even Brahim Diaz isn’t a sure-fire breakout star, because it can be argued that there have been several more important players to Milan this season in their march to a Scudetto. But Real Madrid do have a near-guaranteed breakout star this year on their hands. In fact, he is currently a first-team player for Los Blancos.
Rodrygo Goes will miss some more time with the injury he suffered in the first-half of the clean sheet win over Granada, but he will be an important part of the Royal Whites’ attack whenever he returns from the issue.
The Brazilian forward has more goals and assists per 90 minutes in all competitions this season than any Real Madrid player not named Karim Benzema. Rodrygo is still tied with Benzema and Toni Kroos in the team lead with five assists.
An effective dribbler, pinpoint passer, and an all-around intelligent footballer, Rodrygo is not like most players who have recently turned 20 years old. His game is advanced and layered, and you can’t help but wonder where he could be at by the end of 2021 if Real Madrid were to start him regularly. He does not look out of his depth at all in the lineup for Los Blancos, that’s for sure.
AM Martin Odegaard
Technically, Martin Odegaard already had his breakout for Real Madrid, though the breakout happened while on loan for Real Sociedad last season. But I still think Odegaard qualifies for a list like this one for two reasons.
Firstly, his start to the 2020-2021 season has been so unideal that we are at a “reset” point with Odegaard – hence the new loan to Arsenal at the 2021 winter transfer window. Secondly, Odegaard was one of La Liga’s top five players in the first half of the 2019-2020 campaign in San Sebastian, but he fell back down to earth by the end of the campaign due to a nagging injury. Even at Real Madrid this season, the injuries have been a question.
Odegaard is getting a second chance this season at Arsenal, where he has an easy opportunity to be a breakout star. All the spotlight will be on Arsenal and the young Norwegian, and while that pressure would be a daunting prospect for most players, Odegaard is one of those rare talents who seems to relish the pressure and responsibility. Look no further than what he did at La Real as “the guy” running the show attacking-wise.
The 22-year-old can do the same for the Gunners to close the 2020-2021 season. After that, he’ll either remain in North London as their star on a second loan, or, hopefully, he will be Real Madrid’s star man in 2021-2022.