It’s fair to say that Real Madrid’s summer transfer window wasn’t one that most of the club’s fans would’ve wanted.
With the club having sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, it was obvious that Los Blancos needed to bring in a replacement for the forward is they were to push on all fronts this season.
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Signing a star like Mohamed Salah or Eden Hazard would’ve given the club an ideal replacement for the Portuguese sensation, however the club failed to get a big-name signing like that over the line.
The club did bolster their options in other areas, however despite this, their fans may feel a bit let down by the club’s inability to land a ‘Galactico’ transfer.
So, following their transfer activity this window, we’ve decided to see just how Los Blancos could line-up the season ahead.
Defence
With Real signing Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea for €35M (fee as per AS), it seems like the club are going to have two world class shot-stoppers to pick from this season.
The Belgian looks like he’s going to have to battle Keylor Navas for a starting spot between the sticks for Real this season, a battle either goalkeeper will be hoping they win.
Our bet, considering how much they spent on him, would be for Courtois to eventually claim the number one spot for Real, with Navas getting a few games here and there in the Copa Del Rey and La Liga.
Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Marcelo are some of the best players in the world in their positions, so it’d be massively surprising to see any of them benched by the club this year.
One spot in Real’s defence that looks to be contested this season is right-back.
Alvaro Odriozola joined the club this summer in a €40M deal as per the Daily Mail, and it looks like he could be set to battle Dani Carvajal in the race to be named as the club’s primary right back for the season ahead.
The 22-year-old has all the characteristics to be a solid right back for Los Blancos in the future, it just remains to be seen whether he will be able to secure a starting spot in the club’s side over Carvajal this campaign.
Midfield
Julen Lopetegui’s side failed to add any serious quality to their options in midfield this summer, so it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the club keep their world class trio in the centre of the park this season.
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are two of the best players in the world in their positions, and Real would have to sign a seriously world class talent to see one of the two benched.
Casemiro is, like Kroos and Modric, one of the most talented players in the world in his position, and it would be a shock to see Lopetegui not start him for as many games as possible this campaign.
Attack
With Ronaldo now gone, it seems like a position has opened up on Real Madrid’s left wing, one that could be filled by youngster Vinicius Jr in the future.
The 18-year-old joined the club in a deal worth around €43M (£38.7M) as per BBC, and going by his performances in pre-season, it seems like the winger is definitely a star in the making.
It seems like this season may be too soon for Vinicius, so expect to see one of Isco or Marco Asensio replace Ronaldo on the left-hand-side of Real’s attack this year.
Gareth Bale is one of the best wide players around, so it’d be a massive surprise to see any other player in the squad displace the Welshman from Real’s starting XI.
One player who’s place in Real’s side could be under threat is that of Karim Benzema, who has looked a shadow of his former self these past few years.
With the club having signed Mariano Diaz from Lyon for around €36M (£33M) as per Sky Sports, we may very well see Benzema start less and less games this year, as the club may look to work Diaz into their starting XI and plan for the future.
Starting XI
Real’s team on paper, looks weaker without the great Cristiano Ronaldo in it, however with the club boosting the overall quality of their squad this season, it seems like they’re preparing to go all the way in every possible competition this campaign.
The club’s defence remains one of the best in the world, especially following the addition of Odriozola and Courtois.
Real’s midfield has been quality for years, and it certainly looks like it’s going to be the same this time around.
Los Blancos’ attack looks somewhat less dangerous without Ronaldo, however Mariano’s addition should definitely give the club more options going forward as they look to perform as well as they did in the Champions League last year this season round.