Rafael Benitez is yet to make his mark on the Real Madrid first-team with no significant activity in the transfer window yet from the La Liga BBVA giants.
Los Blancos struggled to match Barcelona’s stunning attacking trio of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi last season, and while Benitez isn’t expected to address this concern by spending huge in the summer, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to be handed new roles in attack.
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What’s more, there also remains the issue of whether Sergio Ramos could be heading to Manchester United, and if David De Gea will be moving in the opposite direction.
We’ve put together a world-class starting XI that Real could favour next season…
GK – David De Gea
While reports suggest that negotiations may have hit an impasse, Manchester United’s No.1 looks set to take over from Iker Casillas in between the Santiago Bernabeu posts. The 24-year-old certainly has huge gloves to fill, but there are currently few better than the former Atletico Madrid star right now.
RB – Danilo Luiz da Silva
The Brazil defender completed his transfer from Porto – in a £23m deal – at the end of March and could be thrown into Benitez’s first-team instantly next season.
CB – Raphael Varane
Jose Mourinho is said to be an admirer of the France international and was linked with a move for the defender in the January window. However, with his fine performances last season, combined with Sergio Ramos seemingly wanting out of the Spanish capital, Varane could finally be set to become first-choice at centre-back.
CB – Pepe
This could be a tricky position for Rafael Benitez, and one the former Liverpool boss may be addressing this summer. With reports suggesting Sergio Ramos is keen on a move to Old Trafford, Pepe may become a regular alongside Varane. However, while the Portugal international remains an intimidating presence in defence, he has certainly past his peak.
LB – Marcelo Vieira
The Brazil defender may no longer be guaranteed a starting place under Benitez, but with his only real threat coming from Fabio Coentrao, Marcelo could remain first-choice – unless Benitez enters the transfer market for a new left-back.
CM – Toni Kroos
The Germany international proved an excellent piece of transfer business at £24m and quickly settled into Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield last season. Kroos and Modric could be one of the most exciting deeper midfield duos in Europe, with the pair excellent in front of goal, too.
CM – Luka Modric
One of Europe’s finest central midfielders – the question remains, however, whether the former Tottenham Hotspur man can remain fit for an entire season.
RM – James Rodriguez
The Colombian international hasn’t yet blown the Santiago Bernabeu away with his performances; however, 13 goals and 13 assists is a fine return for his first campaign with the La Liga BBVA giants. After a year of settling in with the club, expect the 23-year-old to star next season.
AM – Gareth Bale
The Welsh wizard is finally set to be handed a No.10 role at the Santiago Bernabeu – a position in which his performances at White Hart Lane earned him a move to Madrid. While Bale is explosive on the wing – as he has proved for Wales and for Spurs – to really excel on the pitch, the 25-year-old needs to freely roam in attack.
LM – Isco
The playmaker’s future in the Spanish capital has been questioned over the past few months, with Arsenal and Juventus having been linked alongside his name. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is an exciting talent, and with Bale and Ronaldo set to be handed central roles next season, Isco could become a regular in a wide position at the Santiago Bernabeu.
ST – Cristiano Ronaldo
At times last season, the Portugal superstar’s body language had connotations of a forward frustrated at his current club. But even so, the 30-year-old still scored an incredible 59 goals in all competitions.
With such a stunning goal tally, and with 29 of his 35 La Liga starts coming from the left wing in the previous campaign, it’s certainly an exciting prospect that Benitez wants Ronaldo to be his leading central striker.
