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In recent years squad depth has been an important factor which decides how team fares in the closing end of the season and that is when the trophies are at stake. Real Madrid is one club in recent years which has built great squad depth which has led them to win 3 champions league in 4 seasons.
There have been some huge movements in this transfer window and Real Madrid has been at the forefront as always But this time a galactico and possibly the greatest galactico of all time has left Madrid for Juventus. The departure of Ronaldo has left a void of 50 Sureshot goals per season. At this point in time, Real Madrid has not yet signed any new galactico to fill those boots But knowing president Perez anything can happen!
Apart from that, Real Madrid have signed Odrizola who is a right back but can also play as a wing back. Another player who has arrived with much fanfare is Vinicius Jr who is just 18 years old and deemed to be the next Neymar. Also, Lunin has arrived who promises to be a great talent in goalkeeping section.
Although, Real Madrid have signed players for the future and still squad depth looks healthy which every manager hopes for!
Goalkeeper
Currently, the first choice goalkeeper for Madrid is Keylor Navas with Kiko Casilla being deputy to him and Lunin as 3rd choice goalkeeper. Thibaut Courtois is consistently linked with Madrid and is expected to join from Chelsea with only 1 year remaining in his contract.
Courtois was awarded golden glove at the FIFA world cup and was excellent throughout the tournament for Belgium. If he signs he will definitely be the first choice goalkeeper for coach Lopetegui.Standing tall at 1.99m and having excellent reflexes, Real Madrid would definitely have one of the best 3 goalkeepers in the world in their goal post.
If he doesn’t sign, Navas automatically becomes the first choice goalkeeper. Zidane had complete faith in him in previous season’s and he repaid that faith with some stunning performances throughout the season. But Navas has been caught making some grave mistakes in previous season one of them being misjudging the cross in high stakes quarter-final against Juventus which led to 3rd Juventus goal which almost cost Madrid the champion’s league. But Navas has got some valuable experience.
Defence
The defence line of Madrid consists of Dani Carvajal at right back, Marcelo at left back and Varane and Ramos at the Center.
Since injury in Champions league final, Carvajal has dropped some form which was evident in performances for Spain as well. The new signing Odrizola seems to continue his form from Real Sociedad in the pre-season tour of Real Madrid with some dazzling performances. He has been clocked at 34.9 km/hr at Real Sociedad and Real Madrid can use that pace at right flanks. So there is healthy competition for right back position at Madrid which is good for the club as a whole.
Theo was signed last year from Athletico Madrid to deputize Marcelo at left back but he has been not able to match the expectations with his performances. He is expected to be loaned out to gain some experience this season. In that case, Reguilón who has been promoted from Castilla side will be understudy to Marcelo. He has shown some spark in the Madrid pre-season which has delighted the Madrid faithful.
Varane and Ramos form the rock of the Madrid defence. Varane seems to be in form of his life becoming only the fourth player to win the champions league and world cup in the same season and even considered by some for the Ballon d'Or which speaks the talent and quality of the defender. Ramos has been the leader of Madrid side and performing his duties with 100% dedication. Although he is prone to some silly mistakes, On his day no defender is as good as Ramos. With Nacho and Vallejo as substitutes, the defence looks to be good with enough quality players to rotate in case of injuries.
Midfield
This part of the football pitch is where Madrid is blessed with some gifted and talented players and in plenty thanks to Perez’s change in transfer policy.
The undisputed starters are Casemiro, Kroos who is been awarded German football player of the year award and Madrid’s favourite Luka Modric. Modric is currently leading in the ballon d’ Or Race which shows he is the worlds best in his field of play. Isco was the main man for Lopetegui in Spain’s national side and completes the quartet of Madrid’s field.
Kovacic, Vasquez and Dani Ceballos are three another players who can start in any club ’s playing Eleven But In Madrid, they have to play second fiddle to the quartet mentioned above which speaks of Madrid’s Squad depth in this Area. So this area seems Madrid’s forte and those who win the battle in the midfield wins matches and ultimately trophies.
Strikers
After Ronaldo’s departure, this seems an area of concern for Madrid fans. Although Bale and Benzema can win matches on their day the void left by 50 goals per season player is significant. Both of them have to step up their game in this season if Madrid has to compete and win at the highest level.
Asensio seems to be one player to whom a tremendous opportunity has opened after the departure of Ronaldo. In 4-3-3 Formation, Asensio can play on left and drift inwards with his pace and excellent dribbling abilities. If he replicates the glimpses he has shown in the previous season throughout the campaign, Then Madrid has a gem in their hands. Another player who has been shining in the pre-season is Vinicius Jr.
The kid is 18 years old and already forming a formidable partnership with Asensio. He is not hesitant to take one on one’s and with his pace and dribbling, he can be a handful option if Madrid decides to play counter-attacking football. Borja mayoral is another player who is eager to prove his worth in the squad. This season he will get more opportunities as compared to the previous season as Lopetegui Believes in him and his abilities.
Overall the squad depth seems good enough to compete at all fronts and the manager can easily create a B team without compromising on the quality of players. Madrid definitely seems one of the favourites for the Champions League and La Liga. Let’s see if they can win 4 in a row and create history!
