So I thought I’d give it a go, I wanted to write an article about the 5 positions I think we are in most need of strengthening this summer. It actually is pretty hard to do this as I think our squad is pretty amazing as it is, but let’s try it. And I won’t be giving suggestions on who I think the new signings will be. That could be a future article. ( If anyone is even reading this blog yet)
5th – Right Wing
So in the 5th position i’ve gone for the RW. So to be honest here, I don’t think we really need to sign anyone for this position, I could have just done a top 4, but 5 just seemed a more round number. 1 of the reasons is we don’t actually play a 4-3-3 much at the moment, ( although that might change if Mbappe joins) and 2nd because we have Brahim Diaz, who is just a joy to watch and is a player I’d love to see get more game time in any position in the attack really.
It’s been an area of the pitch we have had some problems with ever since the decline of Gareth Bale. It looked like for a while that Asensio would be the guy to take over from Bale but it never quite worked out for him. Currently Rodrygo seems to be the no.1 guy for Carlo Ancelotti if he decides to play a 4-3-3 formation. And I’m not convinced by this. It’s not necessarily Rodrygo’s fault, I don’t think it’s any secret to say his preferred position would be on the LW or at least as a no.10 playing off a striker. Whilst Rodrygo was a very useful player on the RW when we used to have Benzema in the side, as he didn’t need to carry the team with his goals, since Benzema has left and Rodrygo has needed to step up more, I’ve been a little disappointed with him.
Granted he is still very young, and I still think he is a fantastic squad player to have. I think he is 1 of those players Liverpool seem to enjoy signing these days, someone who can play all across the attack, and be pretty good in any position. However I do have my doubts Rodrygo will ever reach a world class level, I hope I’m wrong but as of right now, I think a front 3 of Vinicius, Joselu, and Rodrygo, is far from the Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale front 3 we used to have.
So if there is a chance to sign a natural RW this summer, and all the other 4 positions i’m about to mention have been sorted out, then I think its worth a shout. ( however I’d personally just give more game time to Brahim Diaz)
4th- Left back
I’m actually a little surprised the club is pursing Davies as much as we are right now. ( If to believe the rumours). When I think the Right back situation is more critical. Having said that, I am glad the club is looking to strengthen the LB spot. Mendy was a great signing for Zidane back in 2019, he really helped improve us defensively, and was a big player in helping us win the CL title. The idea of playing Marcelo in that final against Liverpool would have been scary. However he has had a lot of injuries and its well known how little he contributes in attack, I won’t bother going into detail about that. ( Which is surprising to me because he has shown a good ability at times to dribble his way out of tight situations, I don’t know why he doesn’t try and be more ambitious when he plays, he does seem to have the ability to) And maybe its unfair, but we have spoilt over the past 20 years with Carlos and Marcelo on the team, and I just would love to see a more attacking LB on the team.
This then brings me onto Fran Garcia, who I was hoping would be this guy. And there is still a decent chance he can be. He has shown glimpses this season of the energetic, attacking menace he was at Rayo last season. And I certainly would like to see him get more minutes as I do think there is a player in there, he just seems to be a bit too nervous still, and I do worry a little about his passing. 1 great quality he has though is his crossing ability. He’s a better crosser of the ball than Mendy.
With Mendy’s contract coming to an end next season, for me, I would look to cash in this year and use the money to reinvest in a more attacking LB. I’d love to see Miguel Gutierrez back, but I admit I’m very biased towards academy players, and maybe having 2 somewhat unproved LB’s in the team for next season might not be the best idea.
3rd- Centre back
Depending on how Alaba and Militao return from their ACL injuries, this position could easily be 1st on the list. As of now I’m going to assume ( hope) they both make full recoveries and leave this at no.3
We have possibly the best CB in the world right now in Rudiger. Its weird people back home in England, when discussing the best defenders in the world, don’t bring this guys name up, they clearly don’t watch La Liga much and have the Primer league bias, as Rudiger has been fantastic this season. However he is the only 1 right now. Alaba prior to his injury wasn’t having the best of seasons, and didn’t inspire much confidence, whilst he’s a great football player, I’m not convicned he’s a world class CB, and as a rotational squad player he is perfect to have around, but in my starting 11, I wouldn’t want to see Alaba there based on the last 1 years performance.
And unfortunately the same can be said for Nacho. It’s a real shame a player who has been so consistent throughout his Real Madrid career, finally gets the armband, and has 1 of his worst seasons. I’m not against letting him stay 1 more season and retiring with Real Madrid, he certainly deserves it but as long as its with the understanding that he is a rotational piece at best.
I think it’s the perfect time to bring in a young CB to learn under the experienced players we have now for 1 or 2 years and then by 2026, both Alaba and Nacho will have left and the youngster should be more than ready to step up.
2nd- Right Back
This is getting vital for me because we’ve seen so many clubs get too comfortable with having a world class player in a position, that they don’t prepare correctly for when that player leaves.
It’s not exactly a secret that the RB position has been area of concern for fans for a few seasons now. Hopefully we won’t fall into this trap by signing a new RB this summer, similar to the CB position, I would like to be someone young, as I still think Carvajal has at least 2 more seasons in him. Unfortunately this would probably mean saying goodbye to Lucas Vasquez, who has been a great servant for us, but in the long run I think this would pay off much more for us. Unless Vasquez would be happy to share his minutes next season with the youngster.
1st- Striker
This is certainly the priority signing this summer, and with all the links to Mbappe, it looks likely it will be him, which I can’t say I’m that excited about given how unlikeable he has become in recent times. I am hoping his ego will be lowered once he joins RM, and that he will mature as he gets older, although there is a chance he could disrupt the dressing room. For his talent it’s certainly a risk worth taking however.
I would still extend Joselu for another season, as I think he’s done his job great this season in the role he has been asked to play, and he would still provide us with a different option next season if needed.
It would be interesting to see what formation Carlo would choose with Mbappe, as he could certainly keep his 4-3-1-2 formation, and just drop Rodrygo for Mbappe, or he could change to a 4-3-3 and have Mbappe interchange with the front 3. I imagine both options will be used. I just hope that signing of Mbappe won’t mean the end of Brahim Diaz, because in the modern game there are less and less fun, joyful dribblers of the game, and we have 1 of them in Diaz who I hope can still get his chances.
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