5 current players Real Madrid can build a long-term Champions League powerhouse around

 Ferland Mendy

Those who say Ferland Mendy is a liability on the ball must tune into the 86th minute of the Supercup semifinal against Barca. You got to have guts and confidence to pull off the “Zidane turn” in your own box when the opposition is turning on the heat.

Yes Mendy may not be an offensive juggernaut like Marcelo but he can be incisive in his overlapping runs and strangely take a mean shot with his right foot. His defensive prowess is where Mendy’s impact stands out. Attacks win you games, but it’s the defense that will power you to the Champions League titles. Ferland Mendy is by far the best defensive left back in Europe.

Eder Militao

It is never ideal when you lose your captain and one of the best centre backs of his generation but  losing the centre back partnership that won you so much in a single transfer window is potentially catastrophic. Eder Militao held his own last season putting in solid performances against Liverpool and Barcelona to somewhat justify his €50m transfer fee.

However not many Real Madrid fans would have imagined the kind of performances he is putting in this season. He has formed a great partnership with  David Alaba at the back. He has the ability to track back quickly and bully the opposition striker. There are a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out such as man-marking on corners and ball distribution.

Militao is slowly turning into the player that Real Madrid hoped for. If his recent performances are any indication then he will surely replicate another Porto legend, Pepe, who won no less than three Champions League titles for Los Blancos.