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Real Madrid have a squad capable of winning almost every competition and in such a strong squad, there are bound to be players who will not get the opportunities they deserve. These 5 players rarely get starting opportunities and a move away from the Bernabeu would provide a second wind to their careers.
These footballers would have been undisputed starters and stars of many top teams across Europe, but at Real Madrid, they are usually on the bench. Without much ado let us look at 5 stars who need to leave Real Madrid to progress:
Fabio Coentrao
When the team’s first choice left-back is Marcelo, it is pretty easy to see why Coentrao will find chances hard to come by. With the Portuguese left-back also returning from a long injury lay-off, Nacho has been used as second choice whenever Marcelo has been unavailable.
Also read: Top 5 Real Madrid signings of all time
At 28, Coentrao is supposed to be at the peak of his career, however, the Portuguese left-back is struggling to find game-time and he will need to leave Real Madrid if he is harboruing any hopes of some regular playing time this season.
The left-back is generating interest from Bundesliga clubs and we might well see Coentrao leave permanently in the January transfer window.
Mateo Kovacic
Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro, James Rodriguez, Marco Asensio and Aleix Febas. These are the names one has to compete with in Real Madrid. Bought from Inter Milan in 2015, the Croatian has made only 28 appearances for Los Blancos so far.
Also read: 10 greatest midfielders in football history
Supremely gifted and still only 22, Kovacic is a versatile midfielder capable of playing in many positions. However, his best position is supposed to be in the deep-lying playmaker role.
Kovacic is blessed with oodles of talent, and it is only the surplus of riches in the midfield area which is denying Kovacic the chance to impress the Real Madrid faithful. The Croatian needs to play regular football to hone his potential and a loan or a permanent move away will work wonders for him.
Martin Odegaard
The Norwegian international’s inclusion on this list might be surprising, but there is no denying the fact that Odegaard is blessed with immense natural talent. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is diminutive, quick-footed and capable of unlocking any defence with his terrific passing range.
Also read: 3 best academy players to watch out for from top clubs across Europe
However, the Real Madrid squad is full of stars, and with competition especially high in his position, Odegaard will have to consider leaving Los Blancos if he is to get regular playing time at the top level.
Likened to David Silva and Lionel Messi by his earlier youth coaches, Odegaard has struggled to display his best abilities at Real Madrid Castilla and it might suit both parties if the Norwegian international moves away from the Spanish capital.
Lucas Vasquez
Lucas Vasquez is one of the brightest talents in Spanish football right now, but the presence of the famed BBC (Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo) has restricted his apperances and made him more of an impact substitute rather than a regular starter.
Also read: Real Madrid paying the price for not signing a holding midfielder
The winger has always impressed whenever he has come on, but with the presence of Bale and Ronaldo on the wings, Vasquez will always find it hard to break into the squad. A good dribbler and a crosser, Vasquez is capable of causing any defence problems and will be an assest to a number of top clubs across Europe.
The Spanish winger will need to play regularly if he is to have any chance of cementing a place in the national squad and a move away from Real Madrid might just be the impetus his career needs.
Isco
From being a Golden Boy award winner in 2012, to struggling to get game time in 2016, the fall of one of Spain’s most talented playmakers, Isco Alcaron Suarez has been mindboggling.
When Real Madrid signed Isco in 2013, he was tipped to replace and even improve on the departing Mesut Ozil and become Real Madrid’s creator in chief. However, a change in system under Carlo Ancelotti meant that the talented Spaniard had to play in a deeper role which did not get the best out of him.
Also read: Real Madrid and the wasted talent of Isco
Now behind James Rodriguez and even Marco Asensio in the pecking order, Isco will definitely have to leave Real Madrid if he is to reach his full potential and get back to being one of the premier creative midfielders in the world.
With Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and PSG all reported to be interested in Isco, the Spaniard might rediscover his form, flicks and tricks away from La Liga and Real Madrid.
