Real Madrid: Grading the midfielders from the 2020-2021 season
CM Antonio Blanco
The last player to evaluate in Real Madrid’s midfield for the 2020-2021 season. Antonio Blanco played roughly 15 fewer minutes than Martin Odegaard in LaLiga, as he did not make an appearance until a 0-0 draw with Getafe on April 19.
Blanco came off the bench in that disappointing match, as Real Madrid were undermanned in midfield due to serious physical fatigue after the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. They even played Isco and Rodrygo Goes with Luka Modric in midfield!
So the 20-year-old Castilla star came off the bench for his debut and shined. He played so well that he earned his first start the next game against Cadiz and rocked the house in a 3-0 win, impressing Madrdistas and even drawing loose comparisons to Spanish legend Xabi Alonso in the middle of the park.
Calm and classy on the ball, Blanco made an appearance off the bench in another 0-0 draw with Real Betis, then was great once more in a 2-0 win over Osasuna.
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Blanco never had an underwhelming appearance and made two very positive starts for the first team. He’s going to have a bigger role in midfield next year, and he’s the biggest reason why Eduardo Camavinga no longer looks like a transfer priority for a cash-conscious Real Madrid.
Rating: 6.5