Real Madrid have found a new superstar player in left winger Vinicius Junior, who has 100 percent made that position his own this season. In the future, that may change, pending on what happens with expected 2022 signing Kylian Mbappe, but it is entirely possible Vinicius could move Mbappe to another position like striker or right winger.
Again, a lot can change between now and then. For many Madridistas, the 2022 summer transfer window centers around Mbappe and then Erling Haaland at striker. Haaland would be the Karim Benzema replacement, and Haaland and Mbappe, together, would form a new Galactic trio for the ages at the Bernabeu with Vini as the third man, replacing the vaunted trio of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
If Real Madrid were to show interest in another winger, then there is only one name worth penciling in on the list of targets. This player has been just as sensational in the Champions League thus far as Vinicius. He is a 21-year-old Brazilian, too.
But he is much different than Vini. Firstly, he is left-footed. Real Madrid have only two left-footed wingers, Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale. In an ideal world, neither is on the Madrid books in 2022-2023. The two-footed Brahim Diaz is shining on loan at Milan and can play right wing, but this player is a more accomplished and more specific right winger.
Antony has been unplayable in the Champions League
For those of you who watched his masterclass of a performance against Dortmund in the Champions League last week, you probably already guessed that I am talking about Ajax’s latest gem, Antony. Mats Hummels may dislike him, but Anthony earned plaudits all around Europe for this performance on the pitch
So far in 2021-2022, Antony has three goals in the Dutch Eredivisie. More importantly, the young right winger has one goal and a whopping four assists in four Champions League games. An electrifying dribbler, Antony is averaging two key passes per game in Europe’s marquee competition, dazzling spectators with his pinpoint crosses and awareness in slipping passes into the box.
Antony is not a priority target for Real Madrid. Mbappe and Haaland are clearly head and shoulders above all the other attackers. And even if we stay specific to Ajax, Noussair Mazraoui, a right back who will be a free agent next summer, may be the bigger help to Los Blancos.
In Vinicius, they have someone who can get into the box and create chances from nothing off the dribble. Mbappe would provide those same qualities, perhaps on the wing opposite of Vini. Rodrygo could one day, too. So Antony is a luxury, not a priority.
That said, Antony is a top talent. He is exciting, creative, young, and fills a role that Real Madrid do not have. They don’t have a cultured left foot in their squad. If Real need to look for another winger, Antony is the best option, as of right now, on that shortlist. Mbappe is a must and almost feels like a guarantee. If Real are still looking, then Ajax’s latest top talent in the attack is the one to circle in the search. He is putting together a tremendous year.