We’ve entered the last phase of the season, with just over a month to go for the summer break. It is going to be a long summer break for both the players and the fans, with the FIFA World Cup scheduled for winter. But it is going to be an interesting summer, with Real Madrid plotting big moves for this summer transfer window.
Some players are set to leave the club this summer, while some more players’ performance hasn’t reached the expectations. There is a need to strengthen Real Madrid’s depth in those positions and let’s have a look at every position that needs reinforcement.
Centre back
Real Madrid’s two main centre-backs, Eder Militao and David Alaba have been excellent throughout the season, complementing each other very well. They have formed a great duo, and one wouldn’t want to disrupt the Alaba-Militao combination. But they have their weaknesses, especially in defending crosses and with their habit of leaving the backline to go and press the attacker, something that has been exploited by the opponents at times.
Another issue with Real Madrid’s centre-back contingent is the lack of depth. Nacho’s versatility has proven to be a boon for the club for a long time, but as a centre-back, he has been a liability to the team in a lot of games this season. There is an argument that the La Fabrica graduate shouldn’t be a third-choice centre-back anymore.
Not to forget that Jesus Vallejo, the team’s fourth-choice centre-back, has spent the majority of the season on the bench and the sidelines, similar to his 2017-19 stint at Real Madrid, playing just 14 minutes all soon. There have always been doubts about his quality following his disastrous loan spell at Granada, and the club should look to offload him this summer, though he has a contract till 2025.
Even the club seems to have realised the issues at the back and has been linked to Antonio Rudiger a lot in the past few days, with the German’s arrival looking inevitable. The Chelsea defender’s quality and reported wages suggest that he will straightaway walk into the starting XI. It is going to be interesting to see how Carlo Ancelotti will set up his team with the German, but one thing’s for sure, Antonio Rudiger will be a quality addition.
If Vallejo can be sold (if he doesn’t do a Mariano 2.0 to be precise), it will create another empty spot, that can be occupied by a talented Castilla defender like Rafa Marin. The 19-year-old has been a sensation this season, and his performances have drawn interest from clubs like RB Leipzig. He is ready for first-team football, and he deserves a promotion.