The reigning European Champions, Real Madrid, have a history of spending extravagant amounts on some of the best and the most marketable players in the world. Having broken the world record for transfer fees many times in the past, Los Blancos are always expected to set the bar high for transfers every summer. However, this time around, things were different.
Real Madrid legend and their current manager, Zinedine Zidane, thought it was more important for the players to gel rather than get shinier toys. Even with a transfer ban looming, Los Merengues thought they only needed to make one signing and get back some of their players from loans.
Also read: Grading Chelsea's 2016 summer transfer window buys
As they remain one of only two teams in the top 5 leagues of Europe to be unbeaten this season, the decision to not disrupt the dressing room with another star signing could prove to be a masterstroke. Here, we grade all the incoming players for Real Madrid:
#1 Alvaro Morata: €30 million from Juventus
Following weeks of speculation, Alvaro Morata returned to his home club after 2 successful seasons at Juventus. He was courted by big PL clubs like Arsenal, and Chelsea but they were put off by Juve’s huge asking price of more than €50 million.
Real Madrid had inserted a buy-back clause of €30 million when they sold him to Juventus and this clause was activated in the summer. After two years with the Italian champions, the golden boy returned home.
He was always known for his knack of scoring important goals and also playing at his best in big games. However, his consistency and goalscoring exploits were still under serious doubts as he did not even touch double digits in the league in both his seasons in Italy. With a record of 27 goals in 93 matches, he needed to improve his goalscoring ability to have a future at Real Madrid.
With Benzema being one of the first names on the teamsheet, Morata has had limited game time. But he has grabbed the few chances he has gotten with both hands. Tirelessly running around for the good of the team, Morata has been unselfish and professional as ever.
Even playing on the wings when needed, Morata’s contributions have been crucial in Madrid’s unbeaten run. With 9 goals this season, 5 of them in the league, the Spanish striker has been more clinical than his Juve days.
Grade: B+
#2 Fabio Coentrao: Back from loan at Monaco
The Portuguese left back was bought by Jose Mourinho in 2011 to compete for the left-back position with Marcelo. Over the years, Marcelo has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world leaving Coentrao in his shadow. After 4 seasons filled with limited game time, injuries and inconsistency, Coentrao was loaned to Monaco and it seemed to be the end of his Real Madrid career.
Zidane, however, gave him a new lease of life by calling him back this season. However, his game time has been too limited and his performances haven’t warranted any more. He has not made a single appearance for Real Madrid in the league this season and only 3 appearances overall.
Right now, it seems like the 28-year-old fullback will just be looking forward to the end of the season and will be looking at joining a new club in the summer.
Grade: C
#3 Marco Asensio: Back from loan at Espanyol
The Spanish winger was signed by Real Madrid in 2014 from Mallorca at the age of 18. With talent on display in each and every performance, he was touted as the future star of the Merengues. He was loaned back to Mallorca straight away for a season.
Following a successful season at Mallorca, he was loaned to Espanyol so that he could ply his trade in the La Liga instead of the 2nd division. With his short stature and lack of experience in top flight football, he wasn’t expected to be the first choice for the Catalan club.
He defied those expectations, playing in 34 matches in the league. Often the sole attacking point for Espanyol, Asensio displayed his full range of flair and trickery to impress his parent club, Real Madrid, who were keen on calling him back at the end of the season.
With a star-studded attacking line-up costing hundreds of millions, it was going to be Asensio’s biggest test yet but he has made the most of the opportunities he has been given so far. He has played 11 La Liga matches so far for Real Madrid and 17 appearances overall this season. He has scored 6 goals and has been a terrifying prospect for the opposition defences.
At this point, it would be fair to say Asensio is the brightest young talent in the Real Madrid squad.
Grade: A-
