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Real Madrid have really struggled so far in this campaign. Whilst much of it was down to Santiago Solari's questionable tactics, the players have to be held accountable for such disappointing performances too.
Now that Zidane has returned, though, Madrid could be set to redeem themselves before the curtains close on the 18/19 LaLiga season and scrape back some of their dignity which was lost under Solari.
Madrid are currently in third place with 54 points, 12 behind their arch-rivals Barcelona, who continue to comfortably stroll towards the LaLiga title.
Many people have put their misfortunes down to the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who arguably held the team together and often carried them in matches where they looked lackluster and weak. His absence has left a major hole in the squad that wasn't filled in the summer. They need to do that this time round, and so here are five players that they could possibly sign.
#5 Luka Jovic (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Luka Jovic is a 21-year-old centre-forward who currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. He has also featured for Serbia's national team on four occasions, having made his debut in June 2018 at the World Cup.
Jovic, despite popular belief, is actually on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt from Benfica. The confusion stems from the fact he's been with Frankfurt for two years now, but his parent club will be more than happy to take him back. When he was initially loaned out, he had a market value of around £1.8m; now, his market value has soared to £50m. Benfica will probably be eager to cash in while the iron's hot, instead of using him and letting him turn cold.
In just 24 appearances for Frankfurt this season, Jovic has scored 15 goals and registered a further 6 assists. He is also the youngest player to have scored five goals in one match in the Bundesliga.
As well as being able to play as a centre-forward, Jovic can also be utilized on either wing thanks to his speed and strength on the ball. He also has a degree of trickery when a defender takes him on, which serves him well in the final third, as he doesn't have to rely on teammates for service as often as other strikers might.
#4 Adrien Rabiot (Paris Saint-Germain)
Adrien Rabiot is a 23-year-old central midfielder who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He has also represented France's national side, having made 6 appearances for them since his debut back in November 2016.
After Rabiot and PSG failed to come to an agreement regarding the renewal of his contract, the Frenchman is set to become a free agent in the summer. This, naturally, has turned the heads of top clubs around the world, who are now all vying for his signature. But, what will make the difference is what the clubs can offer him.
Real Madrid immediately leapfrogs most clubs because of just how prestigious they are. Although, Rabiot may be interested in a club like Chelsea or Manchester United, who are both bound to have enquired about his availability.
Adrien Rabiot ticks all the boxes for Madrid: he's affordable, given the fact he's free; and he would fit into the side well, slotting into a defensive midfielder role. This is a golden opportunity for Madrid to improve their squad without breaking the bank.
#3 Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Paulo Dybala is a 25-year-old attacking midfielder who currently plays for Juventus in Serie A. He has also featured 19 times for Argentina, having made his debut in October 2015.
Since joining Juventus from Palermo in the summer of 2015 for around £35m, Dybala has been a phenomenon, scoring goals for fun and assisting his teammates whenever possible. He has cemented himself in the first team now and is considered a crucial part of the squad.
It's no wonder then why Real Madrid have shown interest in the Argentine; he could be that very player they've been searching for to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. Dybala has time on his side, too, which means he could still yet develop into something even better.
However, he won't come cheap. Dybala's market value is set at around £90m but Juventus will likely want over £100m to ensure that they can fill his role with someone just as good, if not better.
#2 Suso (AC Milan)
Suso is a 25-year-old right winger who currently plays for AC Milan in Serie A. He has also featured for Spain's national team a total of four times, having made his debut in November 2017.
Suso's name might ring a bell for you, and that's because he was with Liverpool back in 2014. He had been signed in 2012 from Cadiz U19s and was developed in Liverpool's youth teams until he was shipped out on loan to Almeria in the summer of 2013. After he returned, Suso spent six months with the main squad before being swiftly sold to AC Milan for just over £1 million.
For whatever reason, Suso was, to put it bluntly, awful. He was sussed out by virtually every defender in the Premier League and failed to make any sort of impact when he played, which is why the Reds were more than happy to let him go when Milan came knocking.
But it's been his time with AC Milan where he's blossomed into one of the best wingers in the league. With 5 goals and 7 assists in 26 matches so far this season, it's safe to say that Suso has come on by leaps and bounds since he left Liverpool, and now could be set to join one of the biggest clubs in the world in Real Madrid.
The flanks are where Real Madrid are weak, so signing Suso would make a world of difference, not only to their squad in general but also to their attacking momentum. However, with a price tag of around £40m, Suso won't come cheap.
#1 Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Christian Eriksen is a 27-year-old attacking midfielder who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. He has also featured for Denmark 87 times since making his debut back in March 2010.
Yet another player who's crucial to their squad, Eriksen pulls the strings in the midfield for Spurs and has done so for over five years. He's been around for what seems like an eternity, so it's hard to believe he's still only 27 years old. He has a wealth of experience under his belt which would make him an asset at any club.
His £75m price tag reflects just how pivotal he is out on the pitch, and from just 27 appearances this season, Eriksen has bagged five goals and assisted a further nine. This is exactly the sort of player Madrid need in the centre of the park. Perhaps to replace the aging Toni Kroos now that he's been linked with Inter Milan.
If Madrid could land Eriksen this summer, it would show that they mean serious business. They must bolster their squad sooner than later because the way they're currently performing is simply well under par for a club of their caliber.
