How Los Blancos could look next term… it’s pretty good.
Real Madrid have completed their second major transfer of the summer in the shape of AS Monaco and Colombia star James Rodriguez.
The South American joins 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos on the list of world-class arrivals at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu this summer and head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s potential starting XI is looking impressive.
Here’s how CaughtOffside thinks Madrid will lineup in 2014/15 with Kroos and Rodriguez in the team.
GK – Diego Lopez
After the poor performance of Los Merengues and Spain captain Iker Casillas at the World Cup it’s highly likely that Ancelotti will continue with Lopez between the sticks.
RB – Daniel Carvajal
Came back to the Spanish capital after a year with Bayer Leverkusen last summer and the 22-year-old immediately slotted back into things and looks solid at right-back.
CB – Raphael Varane
Another youngster now and a France international who plays with a maturity and composure that defies his still tender age of 21-years-old.
CB – Sergio Ramos
Although also had a difficult World Cup the Spaniard is among the finest defenders on the planet and will be a good mentor to Varane during his development.
LB – Marcelo
Failed for Brazil this summer, but in Madrid’s setup the left-back fits in perfectly and links up well down the left flank with Cristiano Ronaldo – even if the Portugal captain prefers Fabio Coentrao.
CM – Luka Modric
Proved last season why the club paid so much to Tottenham Hotspur for him and in a team buzzing with attacking talent, Modric’s creativity is crucial.
CM – Toni Kroos
After winning the World Cup with Germany the 24-year-old was soon leaving Bayern Munich for Madrid and brings a wealth of talent with him.
AM – James Rodriguez
Still only 22-years-old this Colombia international won the Golden Boot in Brazil with six goals and combines a mixture of creativity, flair and a keen eye for shooting.
RW – Gareth Bale
Became the most expensive player of all time last summer and played a key role in his new club winning the Champions League and Copa del Rey in his first year there.
ST – Karim Benzema
Is now the only out-and-out striker at the Bernabeu following the sale of Alvaro Morata to Juventus and is likely to be leading the line for the majority of the time.
LW – Cristiano Ronaldo
Although the 2014 Ballon d’Or winner is perfectly capable of playing through the middle, the 29-year-old prefers to operate from the left and does so to devastating effect.
SEE ALSO: All the Premier League done deals so far.