Midfielders
Defensive Midfield: Casemiro
After the departure of Rafa Benitez from the club, Casemiro emerged as Real Madrid’s lynchpin in defense, as he was fielded in most matches by Zidane despite being under pressure to consistently field technically superior players like James or Isco.
Casemiro’s loan spell at Porto helped him to understand the role of the European defensive midfielder better. Right now, he is one of the very best in the business at occupying the right spaces, marking out strikers and shutting out opponent midfielders from making passes through central midfield.
Unless Zidane opts to attack opponents from the get-go, Casemiro will now be featuring in most of Real’s league games, as he looks set to stay at the club for years to come.
Central Midfield: Luka Modric
Despite being just a month short of his 31st birthday, Modric has shown no signs of slowdown whatsoever. He announced himself in the Euros this summer with a peach of a volley that helped Croatia past Turkey, and his substitute appearance against Sevilla helped Real Madrid balance their midfield a whole lot better than when Isco was on the field.
Modric has gotten the hang of his role in Zidane’s playing XI, and has been an indispensable member of the squad ever since the departure of Ozil from the club. He is one of those who can create openings in opposition defenses at any time of the match. Modric has to start every important game this season, despite the presence of competitors like Isco, James and Kovacic.
Central Midfield: Toni Kroos
Where the presence of Modric lends Real a cutting edge in the final third and during counterattacks, Kroos provides them with the best possible option as a long-passer, ball circulator and long-distance shooter stationed a little further from goal.
While Kroos is not as adept as Modric at playing the cute pass or dribbling past defenders, he is a well-rounded player with the most complete skillset of any Real midfielder, and he has embraced his central midfield role with great relish.
Aged only 26, he should be good for a few more years to start as Real’s midfielder-in-chief. His absence from the starting XI would be as glaring as that of anyone. He lends a comprehensive skillset to the team that cannot be missed out on.
