Last week saw Real Madrid’s three year reign as European champions come to an end as they were soundly and emphatically beaten at the hands of a technically gifted Ajax side 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu – their fourth consecutive defeat at their own stadium.
Almost three years since their dominance over Europe began by beating fellow Spaniards and close rivals Atletico Madrid in the 2016 Milan final, they have been finally knocked off the top of Europe after three titles in a row. Since his appointment in October, Santiago Solari – a former Madrid player himself – has overseen two of Real Madrid’s Champions League home defeats, with this defeat coming after they were outclassed by CSKA Moscow in December by a 3-0 scoreline.
To put it plainly, Real Madrid are in a real mess so much so that there have been various widespread reports on Solari’s future with some claiming he may be sacked in the next few days and to be replaced by former manager and Jose Mourinho – who himself was relieved of his duties at Manchester United in December. 12 points behind Barcelona in La Liga, and having been knocked out in the Copa Del Rey by Barcelona few days prior to the defeat by Ajax, you could almost admit that Real Madrid’s season is over with nothing left to play for, the end of the season cannot come fast enough for the whole club. After so much success being centred around the figure of Cristiano Ronaldo who left for Juventus last summer, the club simply have not been able to cope with his absence and also Zinedine Zidane who felt his time was up after leading Real Madrid to three unprecedented Champions League trophies and the La Liga title in 2017.
Part of the blame will be placed on Florentino Perez for his poor decisions in regards to the appointments of both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari who have both failed to change the clubs fortunes. Not only in that department has Perez failed to make an immediate impact on but also trying to secure an adequate replacement for the departing Cristiano Ronaldo. Youngster Vinicius Junior has been a revelation since his move from Brazil but it is too much to ask for a player of his age to carry Real Madrid back to where they belong and this summer will be huge for Real Madrid in terms of managerial changes and player recruitment, just who can take the club back to where they belong?
Jose Mourinho? Mauricio Pochettino? These are questions that will almost certainly be thrown around during this summer for Real Madrid. However, there will be players they will be scouring over to take them back to where they belong, challenging for European honours and domestically too.
Here are five players that could potentially take Real Madrid back to greatness once again:
Matthijs de Ligt, (Ajax)
If there is one lesson Real Madrid learned from their disappointing defeat to Ajax is that Matthijs de Ligt is a player they should move heaven and earth to recruit come this summer. De Ligt was head and shoulders above everyone in the defensive department last week, showing his world class potential and even showing Real Madrid’s defenders the true art of defending at such a tender age of 19. Raphael Varane, Nacho and Sergio Ramos certainly need to be upgraded on current form and their is no better defender to transform Madrid’s shaky defence than De Ligt. The only problem for Real Madrid, is that their El Clasico rivals Barcelona along with Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool are all hot on the tails of the Dutch defender.
A wonderful young player. Technically gifted, well rounded and well built to withstand any competition in world football and that has been shown on many occasions in Ajax’s impressive run in the Champions League this season. His abilities on the ball is highly valued and a real asset in Erik Ten Hag’s philosophy at the Amsterdam. Wherever he ends up in the near future, his next club is going to have a world class talent on their hands.
Alex Grimaldo, (Benfica)
With Madrid’s current debacle, there are various uncertain futures at the club right now. Players such as Isco and Gareth Bale who are key figures are both considering leaving to seek pastures new. Another player who is reported to be looking elsewhere is left-back Marcelo. The Brazilian has been a wonderful servant and has become part of its decorated history but it is believed he wants to join with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. Whether that is the case, it remains to be seen. Real Madrid may have found themselves an understudy in Sergio Reguilon who has impressed massively since he came into the scene this year. However, there are still some doubts on whether he can be Marcelo’s heir with the games against Barcelona and Ajax fully solidifying the stance that the young left is regularly susceptible to the odd mistake though he is still young at 22.
If Real Madrid are on the look out for a new left-back, then they should scour no further than Benfica’s brilliant Alex Grimaldo. A player who has been hot on the tails of Europe’s top clubs for a number of years now. Providing he finally moves on this summer, the Santiago Bernabeu just may be the place for him to continue his fine development. There is no doubting that Grimaldo can become one of the best left-backs in European football if not the world and his record this season has proven his abilities; 6 goals and 5 assists from defence is a mean feat. Benfica have a real knack of developing real talents and it has been reported on numerous occasions that Grimaldo is the best of the lot.
Ruben Neves, (Wolves)
For me personally, if Ruben Neves is to leave Wolves in the near future, I would love to see him stay in the Premier League and move to one of the top clubs here. However, his ball playing abilities and the levels of tenaciousness in which he approaches every single game is something both Barcelona and Real Madrid would be drooling over. A wonderful talent.
This season has shown remarkably how Real Madrid’s midfield is in real decline. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro just haven’t been as destructive and in sync as they were for the last two or three seasons and Real Madrid will be looking to rejuvenate the midfield area over this summer and the signing of Ruben Neves would make soo much sense. No disrespect to Casemiro, the Brazilian has become a stellar feature in Real Madrid’s midfield over the last few years but his dominance has waned a few bit, also he isn’t blessed with the same ball playing skills as Neves does. Ruben Neves can perform a lot of roles in contrast to Casemiro. Not only has been deployed as a domineering No.6 but he can also playing as a marauding box-to-box No.8 and if any man is smart in the Santiago Bernabeu, they would look no further than Ruben Neves to transform their midfield. How the Real Madrid faithful will also love experiencing his ferocious shots from outside the box. A sight that can get fans off seats again.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, (Lazio)
A few who have watched Serie A this season will disagree with the selection of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on this list due to his inconsistent form for Lazio this season. With only four goals and two assists from midfield this season in 22 games – for a midfielder of his incredible abilities, you can deem those numbers a poor return. However, there is no doubting that when on song, Milinkovic-Savic is a real fine player to watch. Bullish on the ball and in the air, a brilliant first touch and his real knack of scoring absolute scorchers. Real Madrid would be extremely silly not to consider the Serbian maestro to boost their qualities in midfield. Certainly, Milinkovic-Savic hasn’t shown what he is truly capable of on a consistent basis so far this season but imagine what he could do when in the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu, it would present a real and worthy opportunity for him to finally cement his position as one of the finest young midfielders in Europe.
Kylian Mbappe, (Paris Saint-Germain)
Only God knows what could have gone on in Kylian Mbappe’s mind as Marcus Rashford smacked home the decisive spot-kick that sent Paris Saint-Germain packing on a night where they were expected to cruise through to the quarter-finals but instead they failed yet again, to set the Champions League alight. Mbappe was the sole reason for Paris Saint-Germain’s cruise control exploits at Old Trafford a weeks ago after his two well taken goals and for his team to disappoint yet again when it mattered most, he must have been thinking what he has got to do to get himself on the headlines in the Champions League. Maybe, just maybe Paris Saint-Germain isn’t the club to help him fulfil his lofty ambitions of becoming one of the finest players ever to grace the game.
Despite Real Madrid’s problems this season, there is no better place for Kylian Mbappe to become the great players he is aspiring for than at the grandest stage of them all – the Santiago Bernabeu. Not only, will it be a lift off for him personally but for the whole club and the Real Madrid faithful most importantly. You know how the recruitment of one player can lift the mood around the whole club and the signing of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid may just be what Real Madrid need to stamp their authority not only in Europe but on the domestic front once again. Imagine a Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe, El Clasico every season, a game in which the whole world would be dying to see. If Kylian Mbappe is to truly have his grasp on the Ballon d’or as his abilities so far have promised then the Parc des Princes really isn’t the place for him to write his name in lights.
Mauro Icardi, (Inter Milan)
Take nothing away from Karim Benzema, he has been a terrific servant to the club and a player who has always given his all when called upon but Real Madrid have been in need of a more potent and threatening number 9 for a few years now and despite his troublesome nature, Real Madrid can afford to take a punt on Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi.
Say what you want about the Argentine, he is without his critics in relation to his off the field issues but on the field is where it matters most and you’d have to wonder where Inter Milan would be if weren’t for his predatory instincts in and around the penalty area. Recently shun from the club after his refusal to play again after he was stripped of the captaincy and replaced with Handanovic, you could argue that Icardi hasn’t really covered himself in much glory but who’s to say he won’t be humbled by a potential move to the grandest stage?
Real Madrid are in need of someone with his goal-scoring exploits.
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