So far through the first eight games of the season, Real Madrid's attack hasn't been living up to the hype many were giving it before the season started. Kylian Mbappe has been the only real goal threat, with Vinicius Junior and Yan Diomande struggling to find the back of the net, with the Brazilian on scoring one goal so far and Diomande yet to score. The attack is in desperate need of something new to bring the spark back, and thankfully, Real Madrid could be getting that very soon.
Rodrygo has recently returned to training on the pitch, doing things like running and training with the ball, which is a major step forward in his recovery from his torn ACL. Now more than ever, Real Madrid need the Brazilian, and given the form of the other attackers, it wouldn't be surprising if Rodrygo slotted right back into the starting lineup and became an instant difference-maker.
Let's take a look at how Real Madrid would best line up with Rodrygo back in the starting lineup, Jose Mourinho has been sticking with his 4-2-3-1 formation, so that will be the shape we'll use.
Rodrygo could be the spark Real Madrid need to get back on track
GK - Thibaut Courtois
This one goes without saying and is probably the most obvious selection in the team. Courtois is still one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world and is arguably Real Madrid's best and most important player. The Belgian has saved Real Madrid from dropping points on more than one occasion so far this season and won't ever be getting dropped.
LB - Marc Cucurella
At left-back will be new summer arrival Marc Cucurella. With Alvaro Carreras in pretty poor form and Ferland Mendy still out recovering from an injury, the World Cup winner easily slots into Jose Mourinho's team, and while he still hasn't shown the same level he showed for Spain this summer, he is still the best left-back to choose from.
CBs - Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate
Even though Real Madrid have still been conceding more goals than they should be, Jose Mourinho has found a center-back partnership that has been working, and that is Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konate. Huijsen has looked like a completely different player compared to his debut season and has taken a major step forward under the new manager, taking his game to a new level.
Konate has been a welcome arrival in the backline, helping to bring more stability, and has also looked like a completely different player than he did last year after a quite poor season for Liverpool. The duo work well together and, even with Eder Militao expected back soon, will surely continue as Jose's go-to center-back partnership.
RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold
While Denzel Dumfries was one of the big name summer arrivals, the Dutchman has so far failed to put in any convincing performance like we saw from him at Inter Milan and with the Netherlands at the World Cup. Trent Alexander-Arnold was brought in last summer and was viewed as the future of the right-back position but struggled with injuries throughout his debut season. He's started just one match this season but was one of the best players on the pitch, and after a strong international break with England would be the better of the two right-back options to get the start at Real Madrid.
DM - Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde
Jose Mourinho has still been trying to find that perfect balance in midfield and will be hoping he can find it with a Tchouameni-Valverde pivot. The Frenchman will sit deeper, occupying the more defensive role, with the Uruguayan getting more freedom to push forward and get involved in the attack.
One of the two will have to step up and take the responsibilities of the deep-lying role Toni Kroos used to occupy, with Tchouameni being the most likely of the two. Previous managers have struggled to get the pair to replicate what we saw from Kroos and Modric, but hopefully Mourinho can be the man to do it.
LW - Rodrygo
Here's where the big change comes in: Rodrygo slotting into the starting left-wing role, with Vinicius Junior dropping to the bench. Vinicius has been a liability in the attack, and Jose Mourinho needs someone else other than Kylian Mbappe to provide in the attack; and with Vinicius being a ghost, bringing in Rodrygo could help bolster the attack given his proficiency in front of goal.
CAM - Jude Bellingham
Another no-brainer, Bellingham has been one of the few strong players for Real Madrid this season and has been in red-hot form for both club and country, looking like the player we saw in his iconic 23/24 season. Real Madrid need Bellingham on both sides of the ball, and thankfully, through the early part of the season, he has been bringing exactly what Real Madrid needs.
RW - Arda Guler
Guler has been one of the few players this season who don't have to be ashamed of their performances. After finishing off last season in fantastic form, the Turkish international has carried it over to this season and has been showing why he is not only one of the most important players in the team, but by far the most underrated. He's been chipping in with the goals and assists, bringing what few attackers have brought so far this season.
ST - Kylian Mbappe
Finally, we come to the striker, and it has to be Kylian Mbappe. While many Real Madrid fans aren't too happy with him at the moment he's been the only source of goals this season, and that brings with it an undroppable status. Carlos Espi has been impressing with his cameos off the bench, grabbing a couple of goals and is a good shout to get some starting minutes, but unfortunately, in no universe will Espi be starting over Mbappe.
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