Real Madrid: The biggest misconception about summer 2021 transfer window
Real Madrid fans are now 100 percent focused on the remaining stages of the summer 2021 transfer window with both the Euros and Copa America finished. Los Blancos came close to winning the league last season and were finally back to the semifinals of the Champions League, though there was very clearly something big missing in the squad.
Over the last three seasons, Real have been a disappointing outfit in comparison to what we have seen from them before. A post-Cristiano Ronaldo letdown was inevitable, and it would have been unrealistic to expect to remain on top forever, even when being three-peat champions gives off an aura of eternal invincibility.
Madridistas understand that this team needs work. But even as some fans dream about midfield depth, an additional defender, or multiple attackers, the reality is that Los Blancos won’t be making many signings this summer. In a best-case scenario, Kylian Mbappe will be the only singing joining David Alaba, who is something of a free agent ersatz for Sergio Ramos, who is now with PSG.
Although some fans are disappointed that Real Madrid won’t have an overhaul, that was never in the cards. Not only was Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment a sign of a more conservative approach in the summer market going into 2021-2022, but it’s also evident to me that Real don’t need to make any risky investment in an overhaul.
Real Madrid have never needed a squad overhaul
See, Real don’t need MORE players. No, no. What they need are more GOALS and an ability to get the most out of the players they currently have. And specifically, they need to get more out of the high-wage players they cannot move but who have the ability to contribute, as well as the young players who can – and must – take that next step.
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Isco, Gareth Bale, and Marcelo are in that first bracket and seem to be very much on Ancelotti’s good side. They were surely kept in mind when Real Madrid made the decision to hire Ancelotti from Everton in the first place.
Meanwhile, Luka Jovic, Martin Odegaard, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo Goes come to mind in that second bracket, along with promising Castilla standouts Sergio Arribas, Antonio Blanco, and Miguel Gutierrez.
There is depth and talent in this squad. Real Madrid don’t need to throw more money down the drain on risky transfers in a difficult market. They don’t need quantity. What they need to do is maximize, empower, and find quality in their players.
As for the goals, that’s where Mbappe comes in. Eden Hazard’s injuries mean that Real cannot count on having a superstar in their side, and they need a superstar on the wings, especially in a highly rigid and defensive LaLiga, who can provide that goal-scoring magic. That comes at a premium, but if Real can meet the initial fee, Mbappe, in theory, pays it off himself both on and off the pitch as an elite young player with high marketing potential.
So it is Mbappe or bust. Real Madrid do not need to think about investing elsewhere or being risk-averse with Mbappe. The real risks are associate with signing players they don’t need or who don’t work out, holding back players currently in the squad (or further hamstringing their ability to accrue value via minutes), and NOT addressing their biggest weakness – goals.
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Don’t fall for a common misconception about this transfer window. Real Madrid are not desperate. They are not failing. They do not need a mass overhaul. They just need to focus and aim high with their biggest need, which can only be solved by a select few players, Mbappe being the best and only realistically achievable of them in 2021.