‘Dropping Mbappe isn’t an choice… Bellingham may need to present manner a bit and play in a job that he hasn’t been used to since he joined Actual Madrid’ Michael Owen and Guillem Balague try to unravel the Galacticos puzzle
Actual Madrid’s attacking choices this season are frankly ridiculous, with Los Blancos having added Kylian Mbappe and Enrick to their squad over the summer time. The forwards have joined an already harmful roster of objective scorers, together with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
The burning query now’s how – or even when – all of Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham, Endrick and Rodrygo can play collectively. Actual Madrid supervisor Carlo Ancelotti discovered success final season enjoying a 4-4-2 diamond, generally switching to 4-3-3. However there merely isn’t room for each member of that quintet in his frontline. Spanish soccer skilled Guillem Balague believes that the errors of historical past should be realized.
“The unique Galacticos group typically featured all of Zidane, Ronaldo, Raul, Figo and Beckham – and Roberto Carlos bombed ahead as properly,” he recollects. “President Florentino Perez demanded that his gems play each match. It was an exhilarating spectacle when it clicked, however they have been defensively susceptible and gained little silverware. Ancelotti must discover a higher steadiness with this group.”
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When all are match and firing, sacrifices will certainly need to be made. One man, nonetheless, could also be exempt. “Dropping Mbappe isn’t an choice,” says Balague. “He arrives as one of many best gamers on the planet – a switch years within the making. He’ll most likely begin at centre-forward with a Brazilian on both aspect. Vinicius Jr is just too good to go away out on the left-hand aspect. That leaves Rodrygo and Endrick preventing it out on the correct.
“You additionally need to think about Actual Madrid’s different kids, reminiscent of Arda Guler, who had a superb Euro 2024 with Turkey. He’ll additionally combat for recreation time. However Mbappe is nailed on, I imagine.”
What, then, of Bellingham, who shone in a complicated central function final season? Having beforehand starred as a midfielder for Dortmund, the 21-year-old could possibly be moved again alongside the likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Tchouameni and Valverde. That change can be made smoother by the current retirement of veteran playmaker Toni Kroos and the declining powers of Modric, who turned 39 in early September.
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“The arrival of Mbappe means Jude may need to present manner a bit and play in a job that he hasn’t been used to enjoying since he joined Actual Madrid,” says Owen, who scored 16 occasions in 45 appearances for the membership. “I believe he’ll be extra box-to-box now – extra of a midfielder. His numbers when it comes to targets and assists will undergo, however the group is likely to be higher for it general.”
Kylian Mbappe was unveiled at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on July 16, 2024 (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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