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When Zinedine Zidane returned to Real Madrid, there was a lot of optimism that the club will return to title-winning ways, which they eventually did.
Los Blancos spent heavily in player recruitment during the summer, but only Ferland Mendy emerged as one who managed to establish himself as a starter.
The old guards like Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos had to step up their games. The lockdown also helped Real Madrid players get some rest and regain their fitness before a strong finish to the season helped the Merengues to their 34th La Liga triumph.
While the crisis at FC Barcelona also made it easier for Real Madrid to win the La Liga, that does not diminish the achievements of Zinedine Zidane and his men. However, to maintain their ascendancy, there is no doubt that Real Madrid will need to recruit better for next season.
Lionel Messi is still at the peak of his powers, and he is capable of leading Barcelona to the La Liga title next season.
Real Madrid can make use of the current financial crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic as a lot of quality players are likely to be available at lower prices than usual. Coupled with shrewd sales of on-loan and fringe players, the Merengues can generate enough revenue for new arrivals.
On that note, here are five players Real Madrid should target in the summer to sustain their La Liga dominance next season and beyond.
Five players Real Madrid should buy next season:
#1: Willian (Chelsea)
The Chelsea number ten Willian may be an unusual choice, but these are unusual times as well. Real Madrid will need to invest carefully, though, as they don't have the luxury to spend big on a single player.
This season Willian has been terrific for Chelsea as he silenced his critics with his performances; the Brazilian could be an useful addition to the Merengues squad if Real Madrid choose to pursue him.
The Brazilian is currently in the final few months of his contract with Chelsea and negotiations between both parties have been long-drawn and inconclusive so far. If he arrives at Real Madrid, he is definitely capable of challenging Marco Asensio for a place in the starting eleven.
On the right-wing, Real Madrid have players like Gareth Bale, Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo, but none of them were regular starters during the season. Bale has been more of a liability given his enormous wages, Vazquez hasn't been deemed good enough to be a starter while Rodrygo is still a work in progress.
Asensio is a regular starter for Zidane's Real Madrid but the Spaniard needs better competition to sustain his place in the first team.
Willian can still play at the top for at least another two-three seasons, and he might be available for free as well. That would allow Real Madrid to spend on other player acquisitions.
#2: Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the best centre-backs of his generation. He is tall, athletic, fast and physically strong. He is a great passer of the ball and reads the game very well.
Currently, Sergio Ramos is Real Madrid's defensive talisman, but he is now 34 years old. A big reason for his great form after the restart was that he was able to get good rest and work on his fitness during the lockdown. It is highly unlikely that he will get a similar mid-season break next season too.
The former Genk defender can be the perfect long term replacement for Sergio Ramos.
Kouilably is 29 years old and is heading for an exit from Napoli. Gennaro Gattuso's side have already secured the signing of Victor Osimhen from Lille on a big transfer, and Napoli are likely to sell Kouilably to balance their books.
Though last summer Real Madrid did sign Éder Militao, but it would be way too much pressure on him to replace someone like Ramos. It should be understood that Ramos is irreplaceable like Cristiano Ronaldo, so the best Real Madrid can do in this regard is sign an excellent player who can play well for the team.
Manchester City are also interested in Koulibaly but Los Blancos are definitely capable of pulling him to the Bernabeu. Also they already have around €40 million from the sale of Achraf Hakimi, and Odriozola is returning from his loan spell at Bayern Munich, so Madrid have the funds to spend on Koulibaly.
#3: Matteo Guendouzi (Arsenal)
Every top club needs two good players in every position to challenge for trophies. Real Madrid are no different in this regard as they have at least two players covering for virtually every position. This allows Zinedine Zidane to rotate his squad, give rest to ley players and also helps him deal with player injuries and suspensions.
However, there is no player who can effectively cover for Casemiro. In games where Casemiro did not feature in, Real Madrid struggled, which only goes to highlight the Brazilian's importance in the team. The defensive midfielder is a position where Real Madrid appear short-staffed.
Matteo Guendouzi is one such player who can provide good cover and competition for Casemiro at Real Madrid. He has experience of playing for a top club, while there is no doubt about the player's ability.
Guendouzi is only 21 years old, and with time he will get better. The Frenchman can be physically dominating, and he has good technical ability as well, something which Casemiro lacks.
Also, Mikel Arteta seems to have made his mind about selling off Guendouzi after the Brighton incident. Though Real Madrid have been linked with Marc Roa, but it is unlikely that he would be able to challenge Casemiero.
Besides, Barcelona are also interested in Guendouzi, and if Real Madrid are able to sign him, it will be a big blow to the Catalan club.
#4: Donny Van de Beek (Ajax)
Donny van de Beek was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid. It was also believed that both clubs agreed on the transfer fee, but Los Blancos did not go through with the move due to the financial crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Real Madrid will be in need of midfield reinforcements as Luka Modric will be 35 years old at the start of the next season. Though Federico Valverde and Martin Odegaard have been impressive, Real Madrid will need at least one more midfielder for the next season; Van de Beek could be that player.
There is no denying that the Dutchman is a quality player; he has shown that he can score goals from midfield with good runs inside the box. He also has a good eye for a killer pass as well.
Van de Beek is a hard-working player and at the age of 23, his best years are still ahead of him.
Real Madrid should again try to negotiate with Ajax for a deal for Van de Beek, as the prices of players are likely to come down due to the current financial crisis. The young Dutchman would be a better alternative than Paul Pogba.
Besides, the Frenchman will cost a lot of money and clearly, in these tough times, Los Blancos would not want to spend big on one player.
#5: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Former Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in world football.
Aubameyang has a killer eye for goal and despite being shifted to both left and right wings this season, he has still managed to score goals for Arsenal. He is a proven goalscorer who has consistently scored goals in top leagues like the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League.
Last summer Real Madrid signed Luka Jovic to ease the goalscoring burden on Karim Benzema.
However, the Serbian failed to hit the heights that were expected of him courtesy his previous season exploits with Eintracht Frankfurt where he scored 27 goals. Jovic exhibited woeful form this season, and some of his off-field incidents might have angered Real Madrid as well.
Though Real Madrid would prefer to add Eriling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe to their squad as both are young, but the duo will make for very expensive signings. It would be better if Real Madrid allow Haaland more time to develop his game otherwise he could struggle like Jovic has.
Aubmeyang goalscoring form could continue for at least two more seasons. The Gabon international is 31 years old,, and his current contract with Arsenal expires next season. He won't be an extremely expensive signing, and at the same time, he will also guarantee goals.
Arsenal have failed to qualify for any European competition, and their hopes of qualifying for the Europe League depend on a positive result in their FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Aubemyang has previously stated that it's his dream to one day play in the La Liga for either Real Madrid or Barca. So, this could be a good time for the Merengues to make a move on the Gabonese.
