Real Madrid have a huge season ahead. After last season's failure, there is a lot of pressure on the team to perform well in the big competitions next time around.
They have also brought in Xabi Alonso - one of the best managers in the world - and four new players, one of which, Franco Mastantuono, will arrive in just over a week's time.
The pressure is now on the club. They may need to sell a few players in order to be able to buy them should they need to, but it seems like Real Madrid are not interested in any more signings after Alvaro Carreras.
It has been widely reported by The Athletic that Xabi Alonso still thinks he needs one more midfielder in the squad to compete, and I also think that signing another young, tall and strong centre-back is also really important.
Real Madrid are looking for market opportunities wherever possible, but it seems like none of those things will come true. It is kind of weird.
Real Madrid need to back Xabi Alonso as much as possible
They should give Alonso what he wants in his first season at the club. Real Madrid have gone through this period of not signing many players even though they clearly need them, and they have paid the price in the past.
Last season, not signing a centre-back was detrimental. In 2023, they needed a centre-back too, but they decided on keeping Aurelien Tchouameni in defense instead. There have been numerous cases like this one in the past.
Real Madrid need to learn from them now. If Xabi Alonso thinks they need a midfielder, he should be able to sign a young player that can develop more.
I do think there is a need for one more central defender, and there were so many available for cheap. Loic Bade is available for just 30 million euros. Cristian Mosquera was available, but Arsenal signed him instead.
There is a silver lining in this stiuation, though
On the other hand, to play devil's advocate, it gives Alonso some freedom to work with academy players. Joan Martinez is still a good centre-back, and he could give a lot to Real Madrid when he has regained full fitness.
Manuel Angel and Thiago Pitarch are two very talented central midfielders who are good enough to start some games if needed.
Pitarch was training with the first team, too, and the only reason Angel is not is because of his fitness issues.
So, I guess there is a silver lining. If Alonso is able to make one of these players a constant rotation piece by the end of the season, then people will forget about this. I hope it happens.