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Real Madrid recently lifted their 13th Champions League title and in the process, became the first team to win the trophy in three successive seasons. The side might have had a subpar league campaign as Barcelona stormed to the title, but winning the Champions League will supersede all that.
Barcelona themselves were pretty dominant in the competition before Real Madrid achieved La Decima, having won the title in 2006, 2009 and 2011. The side is entering a new era with Andres Iniesta leaving. The future looks bright because the club has enough resources to replace their departing greats.
In the last decade or so, not many players have jumped the Barcelona Real Madrid divide. It’s pretty unthinkable to do so in the modern age. In the past, players like Luis Figo and Luis Enrique made the switch and received quite a lot of flak.
Because the two sides are two of the best in the world, you can be forgiven to think that a lot of Real Madrid players will fit in well at Barcelona and vice versa. So why not look at that?
We’re looking at the style of play for the players to fit in well and not just the quality, so here are five Real Madrid players who could do well in the Barcelona system.
#5 Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian sure can glide on the pitch when is in the mood. A player who doesn’t start as often as he should owing to the quality present in the Real Madrid squad, Kovacic is one of the best in his position.
It’s criminal to compare anyone to Andres Iniesta simply because of how much quality and calmness the Spaniard possesses, but Kovacic, if played in a similar setup and given the freedom, could be as easy on the eye.
His best of abilities is undoubtedly his silky smooth dribbling. Because of Madrid’s firepower, he has been used in a deeper role more often than not. Ernesto Valverde has often rotated the 4-4-2 and the 4-3-3 setup this season and Kovacic, alongside Busquets, would do well if given the attacking license.
#4 Raphael Varane
If you look at the numbers, you will inevitably presume that Barcelona have been pretty good at the back. Overall, yes, they have had a good season as Valverde has added a mentality of defending stanchly more often than not. But there have been games that have made the fans think that their defence can improve.
Since Carles Puyol’s departure, only Gerard Pique has been a regular. For a time, Javier Mascherano settled well at the back but the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Jeremy Mathieu failed to provide able support to the Catalan center-back.
Varane moved to Madrid under former manager Jose Mourinho and the Frenchman has grown with every passing season. A strong and agile defender who can read the game well, Varane is destined to become a Real Madrid great. Undoubtedly a player who could have done as well if not better than his compatriot Samuel Umtiti alongside Pique.
#3 Karim Benzema
Benzema has had a woeful season, but why does Zinedine Zidane persist with him? More importantly, why does he find himself on the list?
Simply because no one links up play as well as the Frenchman up top for Real Madrid.
Luis Suarez has done really well since moving to Camp Nou and after a slow start to the season, he finished with 25 goals, quite a lot more than Benzema. However, when it comes to linking up play and dropping deep, Benzema holds the aces over the Uruguayan.
Unlike Messi who is selfless more often than not, Ronaldo isn’t kind when it comes to squaring the ball for a pass. Benzema often acts as the link in midfield because of how deep he drops.
#2 Dani Carvajal
Now, this isn’t a personal vendetta against Sergi Roberto or Nelson Semedo. The former has done pretty well in the last couple of years and after a slow start, he has settled well in the role of a right-back. Semedo joined last summer but he has had a rather inconsistent season and wasn’t named in the Portuguese squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Dani Carvajal, on the other hand, has had another good season after the terrible news of suffering a heart ailment during the start of the season. He played a key role in Madrid’s Champions League winning run and often combines caution with aggression which has made him a reliable fullback.
#1 Toni Kroos
Kroos was a no-brainer, really. Barcelona fans will probably argue that they don’t need the other four, but present them with the opportunity to sign Kroos and no one will hesitate even once.
The quintessential controller of the game, Kroos will arguably make it to any team in the world right now. His reading of the game is immense, he can pick a pass when he wants to and boy does he know how to control the tempo of the game.
Going back to the previous slide where I mentioned Kovacic will do well alongside Busquets, a three-man midfield with Kroos being the third midfield could be irresistible.
What do you think of our list? Any additions you'd make? Have your say, all you cules out there. Leave a comment below.
