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Real Madrid: What should the starting XI look like in 2021/22?

By Hridyam Arora

HUESCA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga Santander match between SD Huesca and Real Madrid at Estadio El Alcoraz on February 06, 2021 in Huesca, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
HUESCA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga Santander match between SD Huesca and Real Madrid at Estadio El Alcoraz on February 06, 2021 in Huesca, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /
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BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 16: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid at Estadio de San Mames on May 16, 2021 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN – MAY 16: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid reacts during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid at Estadio de San Mames on May 16, 2021 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

Gareth Bale

This was a little tough. We have Gareth Bale — a player that’s in the final year of his Real Madrid contract, who also had a pretty good season on loan at Tottenham. He scored 16 goals, had a few great performances, but I just don’t think that output can be duplicated in a league like this. As I’ve explained here, I don’t really think Bale has what it takes to score 15+ goals in a season at Real Madrid anymore, but he has experience on his side, and is still better than most of the other right-wing options that Real Madrid have at their disposal.

Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d play either Bale or Rodrygo on the right. I know Rodrygo’s much better on the left, but he’s way down the pecking order there, so it’ll make sense for him to compete with Gareth Bale for a place on the right flank.

Karim Benzema

This one’s a no-brainer. It’s a no-brainer in two ways, actually. One is that he’s Karim Benzema, who has been on the form of his life ever since Ronaldo left the club. He’s scored 30+ goals in all three seasons, and it seems that he will do the same this season.

If you look at it from another perspective, well, out of all the players that Real Madrid have in this position, who has the quality to replace Benzema? I don’t think Mariano’s good enough to even make the bench. Luka Jovic has potential, but he simply hasn’t been the player that the club paid 60 million euros for. So, there’s no way Karim Benzema doesn’t start next season. Baller.

Eden Hazard

I honestly have zero expectations from Eden Hazard this season. That’s not because I don’t think he’s a good player anymore. I know he is, we saw that at the Euros. But, I just don’t think he’d be able to remain fit for a whole season. I would love nothing more than to be proved wrong, but I just don’t really see that happening.

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In the event that he does get injured, I think Vinicius can replace him at left-wing really well. All Vinicius needs to work on this season is his finishing and his decision making. Of course, it’s easier said than done, but I think that with Ancelotti, there’s a chance of him taking a leap offensively this season.

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