After years of checking the transfer updates, writing numerous articles and expecting that Kylian Mbappe will be a Real Madrid this summer, it all ended in disappointment. The French forward has decided to renew his contract with Paris Saint-Germain and for better or worse, Real Madrid will now need to finally shift the focus after sacrificing quite a lot to ensure that Mbappe would become their player. Fans are rightfully enraged by this news with the majority feeling of it all being disappointment. However, now the club has no choice but to move on and focus on the squad and what needs building.
With all the current news revolving around Mbappe, it’s difficult to see the light that illuminates from his failed move. But rest assured, the light exists. I would even go a step further and say the light shines very, very bright.
Money saved
If you know anything about transfers, then you know that a “free transfer” is never actually free. Real Madrid are financially stable enough to give Mbappe a massive signing fee to make him join the club but now that money is still there to be used. This does not mean that Florentino Perez should go into panic mode and buy anyone. However, this money can be used to bring in players that the club needs.
One of the first names that comes to mind is Aurélien Tchouaméni. The AS Monaco midfielder is on Real Madrid’s radar but talks reportedly stalled as Perez was waiting on Mbappe’s decision. Now, the decision has been made and bringing in Tchouaméni should be a no-brainer. He provides depth and is the long-term successor of Carlos Casemiro. Obviously, the player will need to accept that he won’t be a consistent starter at the club but he will definitely get minutes. When Perez brought in Eduardo Camavinga last summer, the Frenchman was aware that he won’t get too many minutes. A season later, the Santiago Bernabeu chants his name and Ancelotti counts on him during very difficult moments. Who says the same can’t happen to Tchouaméni?
Depth is vital for this team and don’t be too surprised if Perez is on the lookout for a right-back as well. A lot can happen over the course of the next few months. Even though the Real Madrid President is understandably frustrated about how this Mbappe saga ended, he is experienced enough to move forward aggressively but with a very cool head. There is absolutely no reason for us not to be excited about what’s coming up next.
The Current Squad
It’s easy now to say that “we have good forwards” and Mbappe would just complicate things. But this was a genuine worry many people had. Real Madrid have Vinicius Junior, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo Goes, Marco Asensio and Federico Valverde who have been able to play on the wings. Karim Benzema is the starter up front, which was never going to change. So, Mbappe’s arrival would make things difficult for quite literally every player that is a winger at the club.
Vinicius Junior is who the club is slowly but very surely beginning to build this club around. Would he have to sacrifice his abilities on the left to move to the right for Mbappe? Let’s assume he won’t. That means that Mbappe will be forced to play on the right, which isn’t his preference. If he does though, where does that leave Rodrygo Goes?
Rodrygo has been in scintillating form over the past few months and has shown that not only is he a very gifted player, but he has earned the right to be a Real Madrid player. What would happen to his growth? The young Brazilian would have his time on the pitch reduced greatly and that’s if Los Blancos do not plan to loan him out. Now, he can shine and continue aiming for a ceiling that constantly continues to rise.
There has also been light talk that Carlo Ancelotti would be switching to a 4-4-2 to accommodate Mbappe but that is a massive risk. Anytime the manager has attempted to change the formation in the past, it backfired. What makes you think it won’t just because the addition of one player (regardless of how good he is)? Also, a 4-4-2 formation would obviously make things difficult for the wingers as well.
Even without any additions, it’s worth putting things into perspective. This current Real Madrid squad have been able to win the Spanish Super Cup, are champions of La Liga and find themselves in the final of the UEFA Champions League. As a fan, you have the right to ask for certain players but please do not let that cloud the praise that this team earned this season.
Appreciating our current stars more
A big lesson here is actually quite simple when we put it into words but it’s a lot more difficult to live with: Nothing is done until it’s done.
The club assumed that Kylian Mbappe would be a Real Madrid player because it was his dream and because he reportedly signed a “pre-agreement” with the team. He also reportedly gave his word to Florentino Perez. Everything was pointing to him joining the club and the fans already accepted that this would be the case, me included. With nothing official signed that ties him to the future of this club though, it was never done and should not have been treated that way.
It’s worth also noting that last summer, Massimiliano Allegri signed a deal to become Real Madrid manager before changing his mind and joining Juventus instead. Then, Carlo Ancelotti was called in. So, what happened with Mbappe isn’t something unheard of. It happens.
The Santiago Bernabeu chanted Mbappe’s name when Paris Saint-Germain visited, fans wore his name on the back of Real Madrid shirts, Florentino Perez consistently begged for tranquilo as all signs were pointing to Real Madrid. Mbappe even wrote a comic book that showed him moving to Real Madrid. The only ‘sign’ that matters is a signature on an official document and that was never done with Los Merengues. It was, however, signed with Paris Saint-Germain. In all honesty, it’s fair to say that the player betrayed the club or that he used Real Madrid’s offer to get a better one from PSG but he did nothing wrong. He did what he believes to be best for his future and whether he is right or wrong in that isn’t for us to judge.
Another lesson that needs to be learned is that a club like Real Madrid should never bend over backward for anyone, even if that is the best player in the world. Real Madrid has been built on class and prestige and this saga has shown a lot of the opposite. Yes, as fans we would have celebrated his signing to the club regardless of the offer but this whole debacle paints a very frightening future. Regardless of the outcome, the future is worrisome. State-owned clubs have shown power that other clubs cannot match. If Mbappe joined Real Madrid, that may have not been the main story but it would show that Real Madrid were willing to sacrifice their own rules to make him come, such as the reported story with the image rights.
Lastly, it’s time that we show a certain base of respect for players who truly want to be at Real Madrid. Not only that, but players who are currently part of the team. We have booed Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and others but these are players who have tried to give everything to the club. This is not to say they should be sheltered from criticism, if they deserve it they get it. This is one of the many beautiful things from the Real Madrid crowd, they’re demanding, and rightfully so. However, booing them and putting them down constantly brings more harm than good especially when we cheer for others who have never put on the Real Madrid jersey.
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No matter how you look at it, Kylian Mbappe staying at PSG is a disappointment for Real Madrid fans. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and regardless of how this summer goes, it’s safe to say that the club will be okay. One player cannot harm the future of this club and there are definitely big things ahead.
For now, let’s focus on the short-term. Real Madrid will take on Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final and right now, nothing else is important. A por la 14!