Real Madrid have signed a plethora of talent this summer, and regardless of the players they missed out on, it looks like a great summer overall.
There were many positions that needed improving upon, a lot of profiles were missing and back-ups to some players were desperately needed. Real Madrid got to most of them, if not all - but if we are nitpicking, there are two things still left for the team to figure out before the end of the transfer window.
Real Madrid, at this point in time, still need a midfielder and a new central defender, if they want to challenge on all fronts like their aim is every season.
Real Madrid have signed midfielders and defenders, but they need more
They signed Bernardo Silva, who is slowly proving to be a brilliant signing for the team. In defense, Ibrahima Konate was brought in - another good addition who has looked much better than people thought in these two games.
However, Real Madrid still have to rely on Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao for the back-ups to the central defenders they have in the starting XI. Asencio is inconsistent, injury prone and just not really good enough to play for Real Madrid - as good as he has been at points. Rudiger is on a decline both physically as well as in terms of ability wise, while Militao - who is probably Real Madrid's best defender - just cannot seem to stay fit for longer periods.
This is exactly why Real Madrid needed a new, reliable defender to compete with Dean Huijsen and Konate. Obviously, Militao will be good when he returns. Obviously, Rudiger can have some good moments, but Real Madrid need more reliability in their defense, and it could have only come through a signing.
The other item is the midfield position, which was so close to being reinforced. Particularly, Real Madrid needed a controller like Rodri, who can stand in the middle of the park and ping passes left, right and centre, while also making sure the ball stays with them and his teammates always have an outlet to pass to.
So far, Bernardo Silva has looked good, and it is an interesting idea to have him in the midfield at all times so that at least some of what Rodri was going to provide can still be provided.
However, you cannot replace Rodri with an ageing Silva, who was never going to be the Toni Kroos replacement this team needed. He is a good Luka Modric replacement, but Real Madrid needed a Kroos really badly - despite the scarcity of players like him - and this is still an agenda that could be fulfilled.
They have players in the academy that could come in and help the team out like Mario Rivas and Joan Martinez, but Real Madrid need a reliable defender who is consistently good, as well as a midfielder who can dictate the tempo - a profile Real Madrid don't have in their academy, after Chema's departure.
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