How Real Madrid’s summer should be

After a disappointing season full of drama and frustration where Real Madrid ended their season trophy-less, (I will write a seperate post about the good and bad of the season later). Also, with Mourinho leaving, every Madridista has his/her eyes on next season and how the club prepare for it this summer. In this post I’ll be giving my view on how I think Real Madrid should approach the summer and the changes I think should take place.
Of course all this assuming Mou is definitely leaving and that Ancelotti comes to lead The Whites.

So without further due;

1. Look into the depth of the defensive line

With Pepe being linked to a move to Manchester City to join Manuel Pellegrini, Carvalho and Albiol being linked with several clubs the issue is clear, Real Madrid should look into the depth of the defense. For teams like Real who play 50+ games of high intensity every season it is beyond doubt that in order to compete you need: depth

By “depth” I don’t mean go out and buy Thiago Silva or Hummels or David Luiz, but to take the opportunity to add ‘under the radar defenders’ to nurture them into Varanes. An example, Nacho Fernandez has featured quite a few times this season and immediately one can see the benefit of having him in the defensive lineup. Perhaps promoting a youth player or buying am extra defender with experience or energy in case Ramos and Varane are unavailable.

2. Bring back Dani Carvajal!!

It’s a no brainer! A player who was a KEY to RM Castilla’s return to Segunda last season and is currently on the “2-year loan + buy back” deal (the one Arbeloa and Callejon had) to Bayer Leverkusen and I’ve never supported that move. I always have this idea that if you want to build a player stick him in your squad with an older player with more experience in his same position. NO ONE doesn’t know what position is Real the weakest. *cough* Right-back *cough*. He did a fantastic job with Leverkusen being a key squad player and included in the Bundesliga team of the season. Dont believe me? Ok: check him out.

3. Look for a long-term replacement for Alonso

When I say that phrase about any player I always get attacked and criticized. But people, Alonso isn’t young and he might be staying next season but you can’t count on him to be 100% fit and ready all the time, Modric might fill up his spot on a few occasions but he is not like Xabi. Whether Ancelotti will rely tactically on him as Mourinho did or change things around is beyond me.
Candidates: Sahin; although out of favor and on a loan for 18 months at Dortmund I still think Sahin would be a good player for RM in this position.
Alex Fernandez from Castilla has been excellent in orchestrating the attack and defense and might be a candidate.
Also to talk more about midfielders, I never understood the logic behind selling Granero and Diarra.

4. Kaka or no Kaka?

I personally love Kaka and I would like for him to stay and I’m assuming Ancelotti might want to keep him. As much as people think he’s been useless I don’t see that at all. For the few matches he featured he always plays well. He’s elegant in his play, smart and puts all his effort.

5. Edinson Cavani

Higuain leaving, Benzema can’t help in big games. As a Real Madrid fan, ever since Ronaldo (Brazilian), Van Nistelrooy and Raul left there hasn’t been a GOOD, prolific smart striker who scores even when the team isn’t playing well. Ronaldo has done a fantastic job but you can’t just rely on him to produce every game especially that he’s a Left Wing.
Cavani is a well established striker on a club and international level and has great stamina with fantastic work rate and fighting mentality who has one thing in mind when he’s on the pitch: scoring goals.

Morata and Callejon are both important to have in a team with the high number of matches and different teams who all play differently. Morata could really learn a lot from Cavani as well.

6. Isco/Bale?

Both outstanding youngsters who would add a lot to the team, but RM can’t buy both not because of the price but for the team balance and waiting for the team to adapt again would cost us a season.

Bale looks like staying at Spurs for next season however Malaga need the money would probably look into selling a few players. However, many teams in Europe are chasing Isco’s signature.

In the end I wish Real Madrid a pleasant summer with good preparation to another season.

These were the points I think are essential to clear out this summer, if you think you have more or agree/disagree please comment or tweet me @OmaR7RauL

Why Ancelotti suits Real Madrid.

With increased suggestion that Mourinho’s reign in the Real Madrid empire is coming to an end come next summer of course that opens the door to speculate and calculate possible replacements. One name that seems to grab most attention and is more logical is Carlo Ancelotti.

The 53 year old Italian has been linked to Real Madrid since last summer and on numerous occasions there had been reports linking Mou to go the other way. There is no doubt that Carlo is up there among the top managers in the world, especially his in 2007 where he won the Champions League with a Kaka inspired Milan in style and elegance. Don’t forget his extraordinary season with Chelsea in the 2009-10 season where his Chelsea side managed a domestic double and scoring 100+ league goals.

He was appointed as Paris Saint Germain’s manager in the winter transfer window of the 2011-2012 where he managed to stabilize their bad form but fell short to Montpellier’s heroic season.

Now, that’s great and all but: will Ancelotti be a good fit for Real?

I’m afraid that’s a question only God will answer but I have   reasons to explain why I think he’s a good fit.

1) He’s calm with the press.

As much good Mourinho brought to Real Madrid but there’s a consequence to having him as your manager which is; his media handling. Of course his comments are brilliant and many are spo

t on but it adds this vibe around the club that is not designed to be in the spotlight for that reason. In contrast, Ancelotti’s press conferences are simple and does not attract as much attention. Trust me, the next year or two Real Madrid needs to be away from media attention.

2) His formations and playing system

At Chelsea he used a 4-4-2 diamond at first but then switched to a technical 4-3-3 housing Drogna, Anelka and Malouda. He played his famous diamond with PSG but recently switched to a counterattacking 4-4-2 with Pastore and Lucas Moura on the flanks.

In Real Madrid he can do all that, play a 4-4-2 or keep the 4-2-3-1 which wont make a huge difference and hopefully doesn’t need time to gel.

3) He knows how to deal with egos at the club

He tamed Ibrahimovic, disciplined Inzaghi and made Malouda look good. Need I say more ?

4) He goes smoothly with a ” rich ” president/owner judging from above

Since his time with Milan he rarely had any issues with neither Berlusonni or Galliani, he was sacked by Abramovich at Chelsea but that doesn’t say anything (Mourinho got sacked too) and now he’s doing really well with the Qatari family at PSG.

5) Florentino Perez wanted him since… forever.

For years and years Florentino Perez had always praised the Italian manager and in numerous occasions expressed his desire to sign him. The first time was back in the 2004-05 season (and the season after that); following his Champions League success at Old Trafford vs Juventus. The second time was Perez’s second era during the summer prior to the 2009-10 season (Wenger was also approached) but then Pellegrini was signed instead.

 

This post is my view on the topic, if you have any comments or disagree with me please do give me your feedback below.