Three vital decisions from Florentino Perez after Real Madrid’s repeated defeats
Real Madrid’s poor performance – Los Blancos have lost two of their last three matches, the last of which came to rivals Barcelona – has made the club aware as ever of the need for fresh blood in three key positions of the pitch.
Luka Modric and Karim Benzema’s contracts will expire in the summer. When it comes to extending their contracts, Madrid’s plan remains the same: the veterans have been given the right to decide whether or not they want to stay another 12 months at the Bernabéu.
However, as is evident to the club’s chairman the duo are getting old – particularly the Croatian. Meanwhile, at full-back, Real Madrid have decisions to make that include choosing a successor to Dani Carvajal, another player who has been a hugely influential figure in the ranks of the Spanish and European champions for a number of years.
Benzema’s heir needed – but Real Madrid could be waiting for Haaland
Look at Benzema’s goals tally this season: he has 12 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions. In addition to his goalscoring stats, the 35-year-old’s regular injury absences have prompted suggestions that he is now on terminal physical decline.
And while Benzema’s goal numbers were more than adequate, his average goal every 134 minutes pales in comparison to last season, when he scored every 70 minutes on his way to 44 goals in 46 matches.
Moreover, he has provided 15 assists in the 2021/22 season; This year, he only has one pass to his name. Benzema’s brilliance last season earned him the Golden Ball award. At the moment, we don’t see the same player.
In his most recent press conference, Benzema revealed that Real Madrid had not yet contacted him to discuss renewing his contract. As with the other six players whose contract at the Bernabeu expires in the summer, the club is waiting until the end of the season to decide on the striker’s future.
A new deal shouldn’t be a problem, but Real Madrid are well aware of the need to bring in another striker capable of leading the line for the years to come. Although they missed out on signing Haaland in 2022, they are set to get another chance to sign him in 2024 – so it seems likely that they will hesitate until then before bringing in a successor to Benzema. Also because no one in the market now is able to offer more than him.
Modric’s body needs management
A Ballon d’Or winner who has done so much for Real Madrid, Modric is expected to rediscover his best form. However, the 37-year-old’s playing time will have to manage. Real Madrid need to keep him ready for the big occasions.
Although the Copa del Rey clash with Villarreal certainly counts as one of those occasions, the midfielder simply doesn’t have enough fitness at the moment, so he was rested for Thursday night’s last-16 tie at La Ceramica. He is paying the price for his efforts in the World Cup.
Although the Copa del Rey clash with Villarreal certainly counts as one of those occasions, the midfielder simply doesn’t have enough fitness at the moment, so he was rested for Thursday night’s last-16 tie at La Ceramica. He is paying the price for his efforts in the World Cup.
At left-back, the situation is more urgent. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remains unconvinced by Ferland Mendy, who is theoretically the club’s first choice in this position. It is believed that Real Madrid listened to Mendy’s offers last summer.
There are options in the Frenchman’s absence, such as Nacho Fernandez, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger – but none of them play left-back.
The player Ancelotti most admires in this position is Alphonso Davies, the 22-year-old Canadian international of Bayern Munich. Madrid’s plan was for Davies to go after Davies in 2024, when he would only have one year left in the Bayern Munich deal, but the club could now move for him ahead of schedule.
Source: As
