3 Things Real Madrid need to get back to being the best

2) Revamping the squad

Real Madrid ditched their policy of spending big on players ever since the purchase of James Rodriguez for 80 Million Euros after the 2014 World Cup and their last major incomings for the first XI were Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas, who were also purchased later in the same transfer window.

The majority of Real's key players are either above 30 or in their late 20's, with their average age being 29. Ronaldo's departure has reduced that somewhat but it still is an aging squad that could do with an injection of youth.

All of Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema are above the age of 30. Varane, Isco, Carvajal, Casemiro, Bale, and Kroos are all in their mid to late twenties. This should be a major issue of concern, as most of these players are locked in through 2021 or beyond and most are on the sort of wages that make them difficult to sell, even if there was interest from any other club (which there isn't).

Real's deficiencies at the back have been under the spotlight more than ever before, and as of now, Alvaro Odriozola and Sergio Ramos are the only fit first-team defenders at the club, with everyone else out with long and short-term injuries. Jesus Vallejo has been particularly disappointing since joining, having been out injured for longer than Jack Wilshere was at Arsenal, and the lack of cover at center back has caused Real's managers some real headaches over the past few seasons.

Defensive reinforcements are much needed, as the club also has to start thinking about Captain Marvel Sergio Ramos, who isn't getting any younger.

The club needs to buy someone who brings them goals and some sense of inventiveness in the final third, as Real have looked toothless at times this season. There is a Ronaldo shaped hole in the squad that needs to be filled, and it certainly won't be filled by the mediocre Mariano Diaz, who's scored only one goal so far since his return from Lyon earlier in the summer.

Kylian Mbappe should be the club's most serious target, given his incredible output, searing pace and the most appealing of all, his age, at 19 he has more than 10 years at the top level, which makes him seem a match made in heaven for the Blancos.

The plan should be to bring this team down and start from scratch with just a few cornerstones. That wasn't the case in the summer, as Perez instead chose to rely on Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale to replace the output of the club's best ever player, despite never showing themselves to be capable of producing such numbers. A re-haul of this squad is what's best for the club, and the sooner the hierarchy realizes that the better.