Real Madrid could be planning a major squad overhaul this summer, with a number of departures and new arrivals already far advanced into the planning stage, per reports. Several veterans are expected to leave following the expiration of their contracts with a number of new players expected to arrive to fill their place left in the squad.
Most of the new arrivals focus on the center-back position as well as in the midfield. There has been much talk centered around players like Nico Schlotterbeck or Ibrahima Konate arriving in the defense with names like Rodri, Enzo Fernandez, or Sandro Tonali arriving to help solidify the midfield. However there has also been a lot of talk surrounding the return of Nico Paz to Real Madrid as their summer midfield signing, but would that be the right decision for both the player and the club?
Real Madrid have a big Nico Paz decision on their hands
The Argentine has been a sensation in Serie A since his arrival last season but he has blossomed into an incredible player, with loads of potential ahead of him. Paz has been the centerpiece of Cesc Ferbregas' team, bagging 10 goals and six assists this season to go along with multiple man of the match and player of the month awards.
His progress hasn't gone unnoticed by Real Madrid, who still own the players rights, as well as retain an €8 million buy-back clause. The club has been keeping a close eye on his progression over the last two years, and after the season he's had this year, the club believes his time to return to the Bernabeu is inevitable. He seems all but destined for his return to happen this summer, but would that be the best move for Paz?
From the players perspective, everything is telling him to stay at Como. He's a constant starter week in and week out, he's playing his best football, and he is on the presepus of leading Como to Champions League football for the first time in the club's history, why would he want to return to Real Madrid? While there is no denying the 21-year-old is an incredible prospect, he would ultimately get lost in the shuffle, with names like Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, and Arda Guler, which is part of what led Paz to seek a move elsewhere in the first place.
If the club brings back Nico Paz at the wrong time, they risk a repeat of the Martin Odegaard situation from years ago when they bring back a player from a club they are thriving at and they hardly get a sniff of game time with Real Madrid due to all the talent already occupying their position. Odegaard returned to the club for the 2020/21 season after a number of successful loan spells, with many expecting him to finally get his moment to show what he can bring to the team, but despite all his progress he still struggled for gametime behind Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Luka Modric. The Norwegian was then loaned back out this time to Arsenal and we all know how that has gone for the player. This would be the exact situation awaiting Paz should he return to Los Blancos this summer.
It would be a benefit to both Nico Paz and Real Madrid to let the player stay at Como or even go to another club like Inter Milan, where he can still consistently play his best, before returning to Real Madrid when the time is right for both the player and the club.