Real Madrid are currently between eras, stuck between the remnants of the side that won three
European Cups and a younger, developing hub of players who tease a return to that kind of level.
It seems quite far off, though. Real scraped through their Champions League group after a
series of mixed performances and, domestically, have suffered home losses to Alaves and Cadiz.
But they’re still competitive at the top of La Liga and, of course,
will remain a contender in Europe for as long as they’re involved.
Off the pitch, like every other club, Real have suffered financially. Nevertheless, this feels
like a time to prospect. Over in Catalonia, Barcelona are wrestling a range of different
political and football issues and, with Lionel Messi’s departure possibly also on the horizon,
this would be the opportune moment for Florentino Perez and Real to steal a march.
And if that’s the attitude they do take, we think they should focus on three
areas – central midfield, centre-back, and – with a little less urgency - centre-forward.
With Toni Kroos and Luka Modric ageing, Real need to complete a future midfield that will comprise
Casemiro in an anchoring role, and Fede Valverde on the right of a three. They need some creative
sparkle, and someone who can provide some thrust – and that can be Paul Pogba, who’s approaching
the end of his time at Manchester United and who has always had a keen admirer in Zinedine Zidane.
That admiration is mutual. Pogba has described the prospect of playing for Zidane as ‘a dream
for anybody who likes football’ and has made little secret of his interest in Real.
And, whatever issues he’s experienced in the Premier League, there’s little
doubt that he remains one of the most gifted and complete vertical passers in the game,
and that his range of abilities – including his ball-carrying, his creativity and his
goal-threat – might be a thrilling way of connecting that midfield with its forward line.
And Pogba is a certified star of the game, a footballing celebrity who would restore some
of the sheen to Real Madrid, while also adding to their commercial armoury. Handily, he’s been
devalued by his time in England, no longer quite able to command the same fees or wages,
so – for once – Man United and Mino Raiola might be forced to compromise.
Maybe. And it will still depend on interest elsewhere.
Should Real choose a different path, Vasco de Gama’s 19 year-old Bruno Gomes would be a
deeper-sitting, less creative option, but one with a deceptive change of pace, a sure first-touch
and an eclectic passing range which might suit Real’s attacking play down the flanks.
Juni Calafat will presumably know all about him – as, most likely,
will a range of South America scouts at all sorts of other European clubs.
Sergio Ramos’ contract situation remains tenuous and, even if an extension is signed,
there’s an obvious need to identify Raphael Varane’s long-term partner.
Nacho is also in his thirties, while Eder Militao remains a project, so
we’re after someone who can bring permanence and pedigree – and Leipzig is the place to find that,
where it’s a coin flip between Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano.
Konate might actually be the better player with the greater potential, but Upamecano is Tifo’s
pick – because he feels like more of a Real signing. The competition for him is greater,
his reputation is bigger, and any unveiling would be more of an event.
Moreover, he’s the sort of commanding, driving defender who would suit Madrid’s left side,
where there’s more onus to carry the ball forwards.
He’s actually excellent in possession, standing out even among this generation.
And it’s easy to see him becoming a dominant defender in La Liga. Upamecano isn’t just
physically large, he’s physically large and he understands how to use that size, imposing
himself on attackers without fouling and taking the ball away without being clumsy or rough.
He renewed his contract in 2020, committing him to Leipzig until 2023, but as of this summer
that will – according to German magazine Kicker – include a release clause of €42m.
If that’s too much in the current climate, Real could always stay in Germany but head to Munich,
and take advantage of the impasse which will see David Alaba leave Bayern in the
summer. Alaba is clearly of a different profile to Upamecano, but he’s an almost
peerless ball-carrier in that area of the pitch, he’s blessed with good recovery pace,
and – of course – he has exceptional passing ability with his left foot.
A shorter-term option, yes – Alaba is now 28 – but one with a blindingly obvious upside.
Karim Benzema’s emergence as the club’s talisman was one of the stories of last
season – that was very much his league title. His form remains good, too, and while Luka
Jovic hasn’t been a success to date, Zidane isn’t dependent on the Serbian for any output.
So Real are well stocked in that area, but possibly aside from Hugo Duro, who continues
to score goals for Castilla, the club have few elite forward prospects coming through.
That leaves us looking toward the future and a player who would be able
to acclimatise while Benzema enjoys his Indian Summer and Jovic finds his feet.
Our sensible pick is PSV’s blur of motion, Donyell Malen. He’s right footed, but with a
tendency to drift left and cut back inside – a trait he actually shares with Benzema – and he
has a full repertoire of finishes. Helpfully for a Madrid forward line with so many dangerous parts,
his combination play is also really good, and he’s capable of working little triangles
down that left side, with full-backs, attacking midfielders or fellow forwards.
He’s not an A List player, but that might be a good thing.
Alternatively, Real could keep expand their portfolio of South American talent, and invest
in Sao Paulo’s 20 year-old Brenner. He’s an old-fashioned kind of centre-forward, quite
predatory, and is starting to score regularly in the Brasileiro. South American football expert Tim
Stillman is an admirer and expects to see him in Europe soon, but warns that Brenner’s early
success has come in a 4-4-2 rather than as a lone forward. A talent, then, but one with caveats.