It’s been a little over two weeks since the transfer window officially began. However, Real Madrid worked fast and swiftly to ensure the signings of two players that they considered “must-haves” for the upcoming season. Antonio Rudiger joins for free from Chelsea as his signing automatically strengthens the backline while the signing of the very promising talent in Aurelien Tchouameni is a move that Los Blancos had to do regardless of what it could cost them.
Now, the squad is full. In fact, it’s too full. Because of that, Florentino Perez has been focused on sales before any talk of transfers can be put on his agenda once again. But even with the expected departures this season, does the club really need to bring in anyone else?
Certain players are currently deemed surplus to requirements at the club and it goes for every possible position, except for the goalkeepers.
Real Madrid have already signed a defender they needed
In defense, the signing of Rudiger has made Jesus Vallejo’s chances even more impossible in the upcoming season and even though reports suggest that he wants to stay, there is no doubt that the club will do whatever it can to get rid of him.
Alvaro Odriozola has returned from loan at Fiorentina but a few good performances in Italy didn’t change what Real Madrid has in mind for him. They are open to selling given that they believe Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez at the right-back position would suffice. Even if it doesn’t, reports have suggested that Ancelotti has been quite impressed by Vinicius Tobias, who is currently at Castilla. However, don’t keep your hopes too high on seeing the young Brazilian play much this season.
If Real Madrid is able to find new homes for Vallejo and Odriozola, no new defensive signings will be required. In the center, they will have Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Nacho Fernandez while Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez take the right side. On the left, Ferland Mendy is there while he is expected to be rotating with Alaba since Militao and Rudiger could be the starting partnership in the center.
Real Madrid’s midfield is set for the next decade
As for the midfield, this could get a little chaotic. Real Madrid brought in Tchouameni and he will be the backup (or could we maybe even say partner?) of Carlos Casemiro at defensive midfield. That then leaves the center of the pitch. Currently, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are taking over the two available spots. However, their backups are there and have proven themselves countless times throughout the last season.
Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga have been a joy to watch, particularly towards the end of the campaign and they will get more chances this season. Dani Ceballos is also part of the squad at the moment. Real Madrid plans to let him go but that will only happen if an acceptable offer comes in, which it hasn’t so far.
Ceballos on the other hand would prefer to stay but understandably wants more playing time guarantees. If that is something that Ancelotti cannot give him then he will be happy to leave. However, the issue remains that no clubs have made any official offers for the Spaniard yet.
Even if Ceballos leaves during the summer, there is no need to bring in any replacements. Real Madrid is more than okay with the current choices at their disposal. It will be hard enough for Ancelotti to find the right times to make rotations, adding more players will just add more headaches for the legendary Italian manager.
Is there really any need for Real Madrid to sign an attacker?
If you speak to anyone about whether or not Real Madrid need to sign someone, the ones who say yes focus on the forward line. It’s easy to agree that the club is completely fine at the back and the midfield for next season but something needs to change up front. Or does it?
On the right flank, it looks like Rodrygo Goes may be a starter next season. If not, then we have seen Ancelotti really loving the idea of playing Fede Valverde on the right as well. He has the pace for it and since he won’t be a starter right now ahead of Kroos or Modric, he is available to take up the right flank when needed. The other player who could possibly be there? Marco Asensio.
Asensio ended what was a very strange season for him. He was the third highest goal scorer in the campaign (only behind Benzema and Vinicius) but at the same time, his performances were average at best. He fell down the pecking order after being a starter and now it seems like Real Madrid plan to sell him. The player has one year left on his contract and currently wants to stay according to reports but it remains to be seen how things go. The question then becomes, if Real Madrid sells Asensio, should they sign someone else?
The main name that is making the rounds is Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry, who is an absolutely wonderful player. But his arrival would mean that he needs to start the majority of the games. Where does that leave Rodrygo and Valverde? Again, Valverde is a central midfielder but he has shown that he is an asset on the right as well. Rodrygo has been in incredible form during the last few months of the season, what will happen to his development?
Ancelotti can rotate, but then that is a risk with trying to keep both players happy and consistent. Saying he can rotate is easy, but actually doing it is a very different issue.
On the left, Vinicius Junior is the undoubted starter and he will be backed up by an Eden Hazard who will want to make this season one to remember. It’s a story many have gotten bored of but we cannot argue with having Vinicius and Hazard dominate the left flank, especially if they are both fit and consistent.
Up front, our captain for the season will be the starting player as Karim Benzema continues to show why he is the best in the world. Luka Jovic has already left to Fiorentina on a permanent transfer and now that leaves two players in the club as his backup. Mariano Diaz is seemingly still refusing to leave the club while the return of Borja Mayoral from a loan is an interesting one.
If he accepts to be the backup to the Frenchman, he will be an asset. But he knows that getting the starting position is practically impossible so he will continue assessing his options until things are clearer.
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In any case, there is no need for any signings on the left or the center of the forward line. I would also argue there is no need for a signing on the right.
Real Madrid needs to get rid of certain players to have a more balanced squad list but there will be no reason to add to that. Any of the players who could make a difference next season are staying and there is no need to add to that.