'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid endured a substandard 2018/19 campaign, to say the least. The last time they were in similar circumstances was when Rafa Benitez was at the helm in the 2015-16 season. The inevitable had to happen as the Spanish tactician was sacked in the mid-season, only to be replaced by club legend Zinedine Zidane.
Since taking over the Bernabeu job from the former Liverpool manager, the Frenchman delivered with nine major honors, that included three consecutive Champions League titles in the span of two and a half years.
Last year, after securing the club's 13th European title, Zinedine Zidane shockingly announced his resignation - days after Cristiano Ronaldo - the club's highest ever goalscorer, parted ways with the 33-time LaLiga champions after spending nine years at the Spanish capital.
Since then, the Los Blancos' life on the pitch has been nothing but misery. After testing both, Julen Lopetegui and former player Santiago Solari in the managerial role, Florentino Perez had to recall Zinedine Zidane after the Galacticos were knocked out of the UCL round-of-16 while struggling in La Liga at the same time.
The Frenchman agreed to return with the condition of taking complete control over the signings and a potential massive summer overhaul.
Since his return to the Santiago Bernabeu dugout, the 46-year-old has already secured the signings of Eder Militao, Luka Jovic, and Premier League sensation Eden Hazard. Let's take a further look at players whom the Madrid boss can sign to make his side unstoppable once again.
#3 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is known to be a great admirer of his compatriot Zinedine Zidane.
The 26-year-old play maker was on the verge of an Old Trafford exit last year after a fallout with former boss Jose Mourinho. However, things settled down a bit after the Portuguese tactician was sacked and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Toni Kroos, who controls the tempo of game play, doesn't aid Real Madrid's attack more often in terms of goals and assists anymore. On the other hand, Pogba is always looking for opportunities in the final third of the pitch, owing to his uncanny eye for goal.
With the arrival of Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic, it is expected that Zidane will switch to 4-4-2 formation instead of his customary 4-3-3. And, signing a player like Pogba would certainly beef up the midfield ranks.
Earlier this year, the Frenchman admitted that he'd be delighted to play under Zidane.
"Like I've always said, Real Madrid is a dream for anyone. It's one of the biggest clubs in the world," Pogba said in France's pre-Moldova press conference. "There is also [Zinedine] Zidane as a coach and it's a dream for anybody who likes football."
Last season, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner was involved in 25 goals in the 47 appearances he made for the Red Devils, across all competitions. With his exceptional work rate and attacking skills, he'd surely be an asset for Zinedine Zidane's potential line-up for next season.
#2 Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen is believed to be a long-term successor of veteran Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric. The Croatian himself joined the LaLiga giants in a move away from the Lilywhites in 2012.
The Dane joined Spurs in 2013 for a reported fee of €13 million. Since arriving in London, he has been an indisputable figure in Tottenham's line-up. Eriksen's contract with Spurs is set to expire at the end of the next season, meaning that he'd be able to join any club as a free agent in 2020.
Despite being a top-notch player, the 27-year-old has failed to pin a trophy to his name over the years. Recently, after the Champions League final defeat at the hands of Premier League rivals Liverpool, Eriksen admitted that he is willing to take up new challenges in his footballing career, indicating the desire to switch to another club.
As mentioned before, Eriksen is the best possible replacement for Luka Modric, who is into the latter stages of his career.
Now that the player himself has admitted his desires to leave the Premier League side, it must be the right time for Florentino Perez to cash in and seal the deal for the Dane. Spurs on the other hand, might agree on a fee lower than his market value with the risk of losing him for free next summer.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
The 20-year-old French sensation has been on Los Blancos' radar ever since his AS Monaco days. However, Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain permanently signed the striker last summer, after initially him on a year-long loan deal in 2017 with AS Monaco.
Last summer, Mbappe starred for France in the World Cup, also claiming the Young Player of the Tournament accolade in the process.
In the 2018/19 season, the French sharpshooter scored 39 goals and set up another 17 in just 43 appearances for the Ligue 1 champions.
Financial Fair Play pressure on PSG and repeated Champions League disappointments could persuade the striker to join the 13-time European Champions, this summer.
Having already secured the signings of Luka Jovic and Eden Hazard, Los Blancos can add the final piece of the puzzle with the addition of Mbappe. Hazard, Jovic, and Mbappe would certainly be a world-beater trio and the Galacticos would surely go unstoppable again.
