Real Madrid have the right man in mind to succeed Marcelo

Real Madrid‘s priority this summer is undoubtedly up top, as they must make an upgrade to an attack that has lacked a true primary goal-scorer since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus. With limited funds and such a dire need at a crucial position for their Champions League success, Real will focus on that and may have to find creative ways to fill depth needs in lieu of much available money.

One of those needs could emerge at left back. Starter Ferland Mendy is one of the best defensive fullbacks – if not THE best – you’ll find on this planet. Although there are concerns about his technical ability and crossing, he has shown enough in the attack as a ball-carrier and occasional scorer that the negatives on offense do not come close to outweighing the positives defensively.

But his backup, club legend Marcelo, can no longer be considered a left back. As we have seen this season, he is a disaster waiting to happen at left back due to his severely diminished defensive qualities. But he is still very good in the attack and could make a late-career move to midfield, based on what we saw against Getafe this winter.

According to Carlos Forjanes of AS, if Marcelo were to leave Real Madrid this summer and clear out eight million euros in wages, then Los Blancos will choose Castilla left back and potential future star Miguel Gutierrez as his successor.

Real Madrid should choose Miguel Gutierrez over spending money

There are other options besides Gutierrez. Real could buy Sergio Reguilon back from Tottenham, or they could buy young fullbacks Matias Vina or Nuno Mendes. But Mendes will be very expensive and Vina may not be better than Gutierrez.

So going with Gutierrez would be the most prudent option financially, in addition to the best from a club structure perspective. It is important for the organization to send a message to young players that homegrown talent will be given real chances. Left back would be a position of need, and Real would be sending the right statement by giving Gutierrez an opportunity for advancement instead of splurging resources on a backup.

As for Marcelo’s future, that remains cloudy. There are links with Juventus, where he could be a good fit as a left-sided midfielder in Andrea Pirlo’s 4-4-2. But Marcelo is a club legend, and the club may not want to let him walk, even if it would save the money.

That will be a dilemma to consider this summer, but there shouldn’t be a dilemma if it does come time to replace him. Gutierrez looks like the right man for the job.