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Last season was one to forget for the former European champions after they finished 19 points behind runaway winners Barcelona, and were humiliated by Ajax at the Bernabeu in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
As many as three managerial changes, embarrassing results in all competitions, and the discontent of the fans made everyone forget that Real Madrid had just won four Champions League titles in five years. But the Spanish club has reacted likewise, bringing back Zinedine Zidane, and splashing some serious cash in the summer transfer window.
So, who are those key players who could define Real Madrid's season?
#3 Raphael Varane
For one of the most promising defenders in recent times who’s only entering his prime, Varane had a dismal season along with an ageing Sergio Ramos in the Real defence. They couldn’t have been more vulnerable at the back, suffering some colossal defeats, like those against Barcelona and Ajax.
This season, Varane will have to be the calm, collected defender he usually is, show intelligence in reading the game, and barricade the floodgates when Ramos strides forward. The defender admits that they weren't nearly as good as they should have been last season.
"In the individual aspect I want to be at my best level, I am in good condition, I have had a good rest and we are working well to reach my best level," the Frenchman said in a pre-season interview.
There are only a few players in the world better than Varane in terms of defensive ability. He was brilliant for France in the World Cup, and he will have to find that form for Real Madrid if they are to challenge for silverware this season.
#2 Luka Modric
The season the Croatian had wouldn't make you believe he's the current Ballon d'Or holder. But still, the 33-year-old who led Croatia to the World Cup final in Russia was one of the driving forces behind Real Madrid's continued success in Europe.
Modric perfectly suits the kind of counter-attacking football Zidane's Madrid are known for playing. He has an eye for a brilliant pass which only the best in the game have. He is pivotal in feeding attackers, especially in transition. When in form, his dribbling, distribution, and ball control in the middle of the park are a joy to watch.
Kroos and Modric used to be the perfect midfield complements of each other, with Modric dropping deeper while allowing Kroos, and players like Isco to combine and press forward. Safe to say, Luka Modric would be at the heart of a successful Real Madrid season.
#1 Eden Hazard
The latest signing in a long list of glittering Galacticos, Eden Hazard certainly has a boastful resume. The Chelsea legend is one of the best players to ever play in the Premier League, and he's in the prime of his career. Not scoring enough goals had certainly been one of the more pressing issues for Real Madrid last season without Cristiano Ronaldo and the Belgian attacker has been brought in to fill the void. Safe to say, he's quite capable of doing so.
Brilliant dribbling and shooting are amongst many skills in his array of attacking traits. His ability to go past defenders and cut back in was second to none in the Premier League. He has much better-attacking partners this season in the experienced Karim Benzema and the young ace Luka Jovic, whom he can feed with low crosses.
Eden Hazard is one of the players any team would want to have, and he can be an absolute nightmare for defenders when he is on song. He is motivated to win big those big titles at Real which eluded him while he was in England, and he'll certainly be the player to watch out for this season for Los Blancos.
