Real Madrid are the current UEFA Champions League holders and are on course to create history by retaining the title for the second time, while also being in the hunt for their first La Liga title in 5 years. They’ve broken the all-time unbeaten record for a Spanish side, while are also in the midst of an incredible scoring streak of 57 consecutive games, 4 shy all of Bayern Munich’s all-time European record.
Yet, there remains a nagging feeling among Real Madrid fans that Zinedine Zidane’s side is still not the complete article and can improve drastically in a number of positions. No other side in Europe has come back from a losing position as often as Los Blancos this season, and many view that statistic as papering over the cracks – Madrid are in need of an infusion of quality – which Florentino Perez can certainly provide.
Here are 5 positions that are ripe for a ‘Galactico’-style strengthening:
#5 Right Wing – Gareth Bale
The sight of Gareth Bale limping off against Barcelona in El Clasico seemed far too predictable, but what was telling was that there was no anguish from any Real Madrid fan – the Welshman has barely contributed to Los Blancos’ fortunes this season. Six months after he’d signed a mammoth contract renewal, the Welshman has pocketed €9 million for completing a paltry 5 games.
The fact that Real Madrid parted with €100 million for the Welshman should make Florentino Perez wince, and he’s better off letting the Welshman go to Manchester United, who’ve been perennially interested in Bale. Even when he’s managed to be on the pitch for Madrid this season, Bale has not produced – his side have a win percentage of 85% without him, while if he plays, that plummets to 63%.
He’s had 17 injuries in a Madrid jersey – 8 of which have been that of his calf muscle which does not seem to be going away. It’s time Real Madrid look for a blockbuster solution, such as Kylian Mbappe or promote from within, with Marco Asensio the ideal candidate to offer Zinedine Zidane what he requires of his wingers.
#4 Centre-Back – Raphael Varane
Come the summer, Real Madrid have a serious problem at centre-back. Their ageing defensive stalwart, Pepe will be leaving the club at the end of his contract, which leaves Madrid with 3 centre-backs in the squad. Nacho and Raphael Varane have rotated alongside Sergio Ramos, although the duo have failed to convince alongside the Madrid captain.
Also read: 5 centre-backs who could join Real Madrid this summer
This was the season where Varane was supposed to break-out and cement his place – instead it’s perhaps his most disappointing season with the club. Error-strewn performances like those against Kashima Antlers and Valencia are not what the club have in mind, and there are rumours of Zidane being willing to let him leave for Manchester United, for the right price.
Madrid look increasingly like they will be able to tempt Leonardo Bonucci to move away from Juventus, and if Florentino Perez is able to seal that deal, the 24-year-old Varane could spend a season away from the spotlight, and fulfil his potential. Nacho remains fairly acceptable as a versatile fourth-choice, although Nicolas Otamendi might also be an experienced option if Madrid want to tighten up at the back.
Los Blancos have the fifth-best defence in La Liga, and if they want to win more titles, that record simply must improve.
#3 Defensive Midfield – Casemiro
The moment Lionel Messi scored *that goal* to consign Real Madrid to a 3-2 defeat in El Clasico, Florentino Perez’ transfer plans ought to have crystallized before him. Los Blancos need a defensive midfielder – one who would have fouled Sergi Roberto in the build up to that goal, or even tracked Messi’s run into the box, where he was incredible left free to score in injury time. Ordinarily, Casemiro is the one doing that job.
This isn’t a criticism of Casemiro, per se, – in fact he is probably Real Madrid’s most important player.
Also Read: La Liga 2016/17: Casemiro, not Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid's most important player
Yet, given the nature of his role, he will always walk a disciplinary tightrope. What was telling against Barcelona was that when Casemiro was hauled off to prevent him being sent off, the only midfielder with a defensive bone in his body that a club with the financial wherewithal of Real Madrid could muster was Mateo Kovacic. Predictably, he faltered on the big stage.
Madrid need another defensive midfielder in their squad. Placing the entire season’s defensive responsibilities on the shoulders of a single, young Brazilian is foolhardy, no matter how good he is. Los Blancos ought to be going all out to sign the likes of N’Golo Kante and Marco Verratti, or even bring La Liga-proven Marcos Llorente back to the club if they want to save some money.
#2 Goalkeeper – Keylor Navas
Keylor Navas has not kept a single clean sheet for Real Madrid in his last 16 appearances in a Los Blancos jersey. It is a far cry from the man who came to be nicknamed ‘God’ by Real Madrid fans for his unbelievable performances that earned him the title of the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the 2015/16 Season’.
Also Read: Top 10 goalkeepers of the 2015/16 season
It is clear that Florentino Perez no longer wants Navas at the club – the incessant rumours surrounding Manchester United custodian David de Gea have served to undermine Navas’ stature among the Bernabeu fans this season, who have taken to whistling the Costa Rican’s touch, especially after a couple of high profile blunders against Real Betis and Las Palmas earlier this year.
Navas’ performance against Barcelona in El Clasico proved that there is still a very good goalkeeper in him, he’s just low on confidence and does not look fully recovered from his achilles injury. However, his position at Madrid seems increasingly untenable, and the Costa Rican must make way for one of De Gea, Thibaut Courtois or even Gianluigi Donnarumma.
#1 Central Striker – Karim Benzema
How do you solve a problem like Benzema?
The French striker has always been a bit ‘underwhelming’, especially with his scoring numbers, but those were always explained away by the fact that his altruistic nature in the final third allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to flourish. However, even the Frenchman’s most ardent supporters would be hard-pressed to defend the fact that this is his worst season in a Real Madrid shirt.
Ever since he joined in 2009/10, Benzema has never had a lower total than his paltry 9 goals after 33 rounds. It is common knowledge in Madrid’s press circles that Benzema is one of Florentino Perez’ favourites, but the fact that Alvaro Morata is outscoring and out-contributing the Frenchman, in far fewer minutes on the pitch, out to convince Real Madrid’s President.
With Real Madrid rumoured to be tracking the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Benzema’s time at the capital might just be coming to an end.
