Real Madrid are averaging more than 20% extra possession with Bernardo Silva on the field, according to a post from MadridXtra on Tuesday.
Real Madrid’s biggest problem in the last few years has been the lack of control in games, and it comes to light especially when Real Madrid are playing a big game, or are down by a goal or so at a tough stadium.
In those moments, fans really think about and miss players like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, both of whom were able to control matches. They did not lose the ball too often, and their passing was really good.
The main difference between them and the players currently at Real Madrid is that they simply loved having the ball. They were not afraid of having the ball at all times, which is why their duo worked so perfectly together.
Real Madrid do not have another Bernardo Silva, which is why he must play more often
This team, apart from Bernardo Silva, does not have a profile like that in the deeper areas of midfield. Jude Bellingham is a great player and dribbler, and he openly wants the ball many times, but he’s not the organiser of the team’s attacks like Modric and Kroos were. Silva can do that, because he plays deeper than Bellingham but also because he genuinely just loves commanding the ball.
Real Madrid have seen him start just one out of their last five league games, which is actually surprising considering the amount of brilliance Silva has shown already. There is no doubt that Silva is one of Real Madrid’s most important profiles, and yet, Jose Mourinho just isn’t giving him a consistent look in.
In the games Silva has played, Real Madrid’s general play has looked much better. Even against Atletico Madrid, Silva’s introduction saw Real Madrid get the ball more often than before, which is why he should have started the game in the first place.
In any case, he is not the Rodri or a Kroos, but he likes keeping the ball, and is really good with his movement without it. He always makes himself available for his teammates to pass to, and that is exactly why Real Madrid have more possession with him on the pitch than not.
It does not make sense why he is not starting Real Madrid’s most important games, considering none of the deep-lying midfielders provide the same value as Silva on the pitch. Hopefully, after the derby, those things start changing – but it sure does not look like they will.
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