How the Bernabeu side may line-up if Carlo Ancelotti ushers in his top targets.
Carlo Ancelotti guided his Real Madrid side to a long awaited ‘Decima’ tenth European Cup/Champions League title but the Bernabeu outfit fell to third in La Liga and will no doubt be keen on strengthening his squad this summer and the Italian has been linked with a number of high profile captures.
Here’s how his XI may line-up if he manages to bring in the players he covets.
Iker Casillas has barely featured in La Liga action for the best part of 18 months and Diego Lopez is solid, it not spectacular so Carlo Ancelotti would do well to land the impressive Belgian who may well be a player Jose Mourinho considers cashing in on.
Left-Back – Marcelo
We opt for the Brazilian over back-up Fabio Coentrao, with the 26 year old offering a more rounded option at left-back, being able to support the attack whilst also being more defensively sound to his under-study.
Centre-Back – Sergio Ramos
Spanish defender had an excellent season in 2013/14 and just needs to keep his temperament in check in order to cut down on his very regular red card count.
At centre-back he is very effective and is also a real threat in the opposition box as evidenced by a number of crucial goals last term.
Carlo Ancelotti would do well to raid his former club PSG to bring in the hugely talented young defender who would be an ideal partner for Ramos as the Italian doesn’t appear to value French international Raphael Varane all that highly and Pepe is a liability.
Right-Back Dani Carvajal
Returned to the Bernabeu last season after a spell in Germany and the Spanish right-back is very much a player growing into the role as a first team regular at Real Madrid and a player with great potential.
Central Midfield – Xabi Alonso
Had a poor World Cup but still has a season or two in the tank and should still be a first team regular in the coming season with Asier Illarramendi perhaps taking over in the role in the long term.
Another of Carlo Ancelotti’s former charges and a player who can add something to the Real Madrid midfield and is perhaps preferable to German battler Sami Khedira.
The Brazilian is very much two midfielders in one. Tough in the tackle but also able to burst forward to assist the attack and has an eye for goal.
Central Midfield – Luka Modric
Croatian had a tremendous season last term and more than won over his doubters and the former Tottenham schemer pulls the strings in the centre of the park with real aplomb. Key to Real Madrid’s ‘Decima’ success last term and a player who could drive Real Madrid to a Liga Liga crown in 2014/15.
Left-Wing – Gareth Bale
The £85m signing more than justified his world record fee, scoring 21 goals and providing 16 assists in his 44 appearances last season, beginning to work well with his team-mates and could form part of a truly mouthwatering striker trio next term if Ancelotti bags his first choice striker signing.
Real Madrid’s chances of landing long term target Luis Suarez will have increased over the past 24 hours and we think Liverpool may look to cash-in on the Uruguayan and he would then form the central section of a superb front three.
Suarez is in the form of his life right now and Real Madrid clearly have no qualms about spending large sums to land Galaticos, could the 27 year old Anfield man be the next to join the Bernabeu side?
Right-Wing – Cristiano Ronaldo
Portuguese international had an incredibly successful season last term, finishing as La Liga’s top-scorer, a Champions League title and a Balon d’Or to boot.
Hasn’t had the greatest World Cup thus far but will be expected to return to Bernabeu to weigh in with a plethora of man of the match displays.