Real Madrid youngster could be headed for long-awaited role

There is a belief around Real Madrid that with better squad balance and a renewed focus, in addition to a stroke of luck, the club can achieve more than some may think in 2021-2022. Although some observers around the football world may have already written off Los Blancos this coming season, the reality is that Real were highly competitive last season despite a nightmarish number of injuries.

So one of the focal points will be about making the most out of the young players to help spell veterans, and that just might begin in midfield. The “old guard” trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro is undoubtedly the class of the world, but there are three highly talented young players meriting minutes in Fede Valverde, Martin Odegaard, and Antonio Blanco.

Although the wild card of the bunch, Blanco’s possible 2021-2022 role is perhaps the most intriguing, given Casemiro is seen as the hardest player to replace directly in terms of depth yet is also the most overworked.

Casemiro has played 2,900 minutes in LaLiga in back-to-back seasons, and while has been splendid, for the most part, the lull period to start the 2020-2021 season was perhaps a warning sign that if Case is overworked for a third straight season, the man will be in serious trouble as he approaches the age of 30.

Antonio Blanco could play more than some Real Madrid fans expect

Madridistas have been wondering if Real Madrid would sign another midfield, perhaps Rennes’ gem Eduardo Camavinga, to be Casemiro’s backup and give the Brazilian star some final rotational relief.

It appears Real may be doing just that in 2021-2022, albeit without spending on the player Madridistas have been mostly pleading for since his breakout in Fall 2019.

According to MARCA’s Pablo Polo, while Real Madrid acknowledge how hard it is to rest Casemiro or replace him in the lineup, they are prepared to give Antonio Blanco a chance in that defensive midfield spot whenever the former Porto man must rest. Polo, additionally, writes that Carlo Ancelotti views David Alaba as his center back, as opposed to a concrete defensive midfield option.

Given the importance of resting Casemiro and the need to develop their young midfield, perhaps Blanco could surprise with the number of minutes he does play for Los Merengues in 2021-2022. He very much looks like the main man to play in defensive midfield if Case cannot go, and he certainly made an impression with his composure and maturity in midfield at the tail end of the grueling LaLiga season.