Life is hard for a Real Madrid fan at the moment. Right now, we’re looking at almost every big club make moves in the transfer market. Manchester United bought Sancho and are on the verge of signing Real Madrid’s very own Raphael Varane. PSG signed two former Real Madrid players in Achraf Hakimi and captain Sergio Ramos. You already know clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea will be making some signings at some point. After all, the transfer window has just started.
Then we have Real Madrid. They’ve let go of one of the best defensive partnerships of the century, and are planning to replace them with… no one. They’ve only signed David Alaba on a free transfer, and they’re planning on going ahead with the current crop of defenders. I don’t see them signing anyone else this season.
So, let’s assume that is what happens. If so. will they fall behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the LaLiga race?
The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, but if someone put a gun to my head, then my answer would probably be yes.
Comparing the transfer activity of Real Madrid with that of Barcelona and Atletico
Atletico Madrid — the team that won the league last season — have signed Rodrigo de Paul for 35 million euros this season. They will probably sign a couple more players before the end of the transfer window. They were already an amazing team, and they just keep on signing players that would fit the system.
Barcelona — a team that finished seven points behind league leaders — have signed a bunch of players through free agency. They have signed Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia, and have also bought back Emerson from Real Betis. The Catalans now have a couple of good right-backs. The depth chart is looking great for Barcelona, and if the manager gets it right, they can do a lot of damage this season.
Real Madrid finished second, just two points behind Atletico and have signed just one player, as I said. Of course, that’s out of context. The club’s financial state isn’t the best it has ever been, which has impacted the number of signings they make.
This is why I’m saying this: If Atletico and Barcelona get it right, and use their new signings in the best possible way — and beware, that’s a pretty big if, especially for Barcelona — then they will probably leave Real Madrid behind, at least for this season.
One also has to consider that Real Madrid are under new management, and I’m not sure what to expect from Carlo Ancelotti, so this answer will be much clearer after the first few months. If Ancelotti figures out how to increase offensive output while also utilizing the squad to the fullest so that players remain fit, they can bridge the gap between them and their rivals. If not, then they will suffer, which is definitely a strong possibility.
Either way, it’s hard to judge without watching the team play under Ancelotti.
It all depends on variables, coaching and the form of players. But, as I said, if there is a gun to my head, I’d probably say, yes, Real Madrid will fall behind. I hope they don’t though, and I hope they at least sign a centre-back that can soften the blow that the club has suffered after losing Varane and Ramos.