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Real Madrid came into the season hoping to advance towards the La Liga title without many problems and compete again for the Champions League, strengthened by the addition of Kylian Mbappé up front. Six months after their Champions League victory, Los Blancos have not finished in any of the competitions, but appear to be a long way from the level required to do so.
Disjointed in midfield, struggling at the back and unbalanced up front, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has come under heavy criticism for his inability to put together a coherent setup this season. Opting not to look for another central defender after Leny Yoro left for Manchester United, ACL injuries to Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, their squad has looked threadbare at times.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, has more Premier League assists than some HUGE names… oh and he’s a defender 😳🪄 pic.twitter.com/P3tv5t4krS
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) December 5, 2024
The training of his staff has also been questioned. In recent years, Real Madrid has only looked for veteran players available for free and young players with the potential to be world class in the transfer market. Speaking exclusively to former Barcelona, Arsenal and France star Emmanuel Petit, Football Spain asked if their policy of only pursuing players they identify as long-term stars is causing problems. While the defense is the team’s weakest area, it is the midfield that Petit considers most vulnerable.
“The Real Madrid team is not balanced, they are overloaded on the left side, and I think if they can sign Trent Alexander-Arnold, that would help them, even if he plays as a right back. “With the quality of his passing, that would be more than welcome for Carlo Ancelotti and his players.”
“As I said at the beginning of the season, I think that Real Madrid lacks creative midfielders and players, with control, character and personality. They have quality and creative attackers, but I think sometimes they lack the link with the midfield. That’s why Luka Modric keeps playing. “Sometimes he can change the game with great passes, but you can’t rely on him forever.”
#Croatia🇭🇷 | you had it @lukamodric10 playing Futsal? That’s how clear it was at the age of 20 in a private tournament in his country. The footballer from Real Madrid and the Croatian national team showed his attributes in the 40×20…. pic.twitter.com/mx96K3bPOc
— Pasión Futsal (@pasionfutsal_) January 24, 2024
In recent weeks, Ancelotti has faced significant pressure to give more playing time to Arda Guler, one of the most creative options he has on the bench. The Turkish playmaker has shown great talent, but has not been trusted in important matches; Petit has no complaints about it either.
“He hasn’t had time to play with Guler, just a few minutes here and there, he reminds me a little of Martin Odegaard when he was there. He is not the same age, but he was also waiting for his opportunity for a while, I think they have similar qualities, Guler has quality. But we are talking about Madrid, you know, the pressure, you have to be effective from the beginning when you are on the field.”
“Some players have the opportunity on the field, but he has not convinced the coach or the president. Some players take longer to adapt to the team. “That’s how it is in Madrid, you have to be good and sometimes even that isn’t enough.”
LAUGHTER. 🇹🇷💎#LALIGAHighlights | @10ardagules pic.twitter.com/C9dfi00jca
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) November 29, 2024
In his opinion, the withdrawal of Toni Kroos was a problem that was not addressed and that is causing a chain effect at Real Madrid. Luka Modric’s presence in their recent Champions League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was proof of this. Petit hinted that the problem could be much bigger than a simple lack of desire to bet or spend on Real Madrid.
“I repeat, I never changed my mind, after Kroos left, and with Modric getting older, they have done a fantastic job for many years. Modric won the Ballon d’Or, Kroos was not far away either, when those guys are no longer there it is very difficult to replace them,” Petit reasoned.
“It is not a question of money, they have enough money, they have the image of Real Madrid, so it is also easier for them to incorporate some players. I think that today in the market it is quite difficult to find someone who can fill the gap left by those players. Even if I look at the best teams in the world right now, who can fit the role that Kroos played at Madrid? There are some that come to mind, but they are already in the biggest clubs and they are not that young either.”
Tell us how you really feel Jude? #Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/URYqvQw9qk
— Soccer Spain (@footballespana_) December 5, 2024
Kroos’ absence and Luka Modric’s diminishing ability to win games (quite reasonably at 39 years old) are also having a big impact on those before them. No less Kylian Mbappé. Jude Bellingham’s form has improved of late with four goals in his last four league games, while Vinicius Junior has been his best player, but at no point have Real Madrid looked like a fluid attacking unit.
“It’s a cycle, maybe they have to wait a little bit. Everyone points to Mbappé, but I think Bellingham is also missing Modric (of yesteryear) and Kroos, Vinicius misses Modric. For me, it is a bad time for Mbappé to come, with Vinicius one of the best in the world on the left, Bellingham was also playing very well, he had a tremendous season. “Both guys used to benefit from Kroos or Modric, and the way they controlled the midfield.”
How does Real Madrid face the matter? It is a question that goes beyond Petit.
“Actually, in the market, even if you are willing to buy someone who already plays for a big club, someone who plays for the best clubs in England, Germany or Italy, there are simply not many who can play that role.”
