Real Madrid: An early predicted XI for the 2021-22 season

After a not-so-bright 2020-21 season, Real Madrid will look to bounce back to winning ways next season. Los Blancos will be without Zinedine Zidane in the dugout, who recently stepped down and penned his explanation in an open letter to the fans.

There will also be a considerable amount of changes to the squad next season- seven players are returning from loan, Sergio Ramos and Lucas Vazquez are on the back of expiring contracts, Isco and Marcelo are touted to leave and David Alaba is the club’s latest signing. With that being said, let’s have a look at Real Madrid’s possible eleven next season based on a few assumptions.

DEFENDERS

Let’s start with the centre-back pairing first. Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos have been our first choice defenders for the past couple of years, however, the duo are now closer than ever towards an exit from Real Madrid.

Ramos’ is yet to ink fresh terms with Real as the renewal negotiations have stalled since January. Meanwhile, Varane is keen on a new challenge and could be sold this summer with just a year left on his contract.

In my opinion, it is highly unlikely that Sergio Ramos would leave and he may just end up signing the offer that Florentino Perez has prepared. Varane on the other end could be on his way out and probably to Manchester United. With that being said, the centre-back partnership would see David Alaba as the left-centre-back and Sergio Ramos as the right-centre-back.

The fullbacks, Marcelo is expected to leave the club and the Brazilian will soon make a statement on his future, public. With Marcelo touted to leave, Ferland Mendy will continue to remain as the first-choice left-back, however, the Frenchman has to improve on his end product during attacking transitions. Miguel Gutierrez will fill in Marcelo’s void and could provide Mendy with healthy competition for a spot in the eleven.

Dani Carvajal has had a rough two years with injuries. However, when fit, Carvajal is arguably the best right-back in the world. The 29-year-old has entered the peak years of his career and will look to keep fit for the next couple of seasons. Carvajal will be the obvious first-choice and Alvaro Odriozola will be his deputy right-back.

Verdict- Mendy, Ramos, Alaba, Carvajal