Anybody who knows anything about football can tell what this Real Madrid roster is lacking. It’s not difficult to identify. It’s disturbing that a team of this stature is lacking natural full backs on both sides of the pitch, a back-up striker to cover for Benzema, and a proper right winger. The team is in desperate need of quality in those positions, and that is clear for the blind to see. Now that the transfer window has closed, it’s time to reevaluate the Real Madrid roster.
Real Madrid Roster Transfer Failures
Ferland Mendy is the only recognized left back on this team. Sadly, Mendy is simply not good enough to play for this club. Enough time has been given, and enough has been seen. Mendy is not good enough to be the first choice left in this club.
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For a club that has fielded all-time greats like Roberto Carlos and Marcelo in that position, Mendy is a humiliating fall from grace. Dani Carvajal continues to show that his best days as a footballer are well behind him, and Lucas Vazquez spent most of his time in the hospital rather than on the pitch.
Marco Asensio’s never-ending battle with consistency continues, and Fede Valverde has taken more time than expected to return to form. Karim Benzema is far from his homicidal best and lacks zero cover or support in his position. Except you regard Mariano Diaz as a Real Madrid player, which to this writer is an abominable thing to say.
Continued Issues
This transfer window would have been the perfect time to address these obvious issues. Unfortunately, nothing has been done, and Real Madrid head into a difficult run of fixtures in February with a depleted squad and players struggling with form.
What’s worse is that the Real Madrid manager and some parts of the hierarchy do not see these issues or feel the need to address them, most especially the full-back positions. Spanish publications have reported that the club has resigned Fran Garcia from Real Valladolid, but he would not be available until next season. Marco Asensio is set to sign a new bumper contract despite the fact that he has continued to disappoint when given the opportunity.
There have been no talks on the right back situation, and despite the two preferred occupants of that position being unavailable, Carlo Ancelotti prefers to field Nacho rather than Odriozola, who is more natural in that position. Real needs to head into the business end of the season low on quality and depth.
Even though Real are just five points behind in La Liga, Barcelona are showing everything to suggest that they have what it takes to beat the Real Madrid roster, and with both teams meeting in the Copa del Ray semi-finals, it is difficult to look at both teams at this point in time and not see Barcelona going through to the finals.
They play a more attractive brand of football and are led by a more vibrant manager. Barcelona would be up for it; they are obviously the better side at this moment in time. They’ll fancy their chances.
In the Champions League, Real should dismantle a horrible Liverpool, who are miles away from their best and easy to play against. But this Real Madrid side doesn’t play like they have the capacity to beat a team like Manchester City. And this is because of the obvious lack of quality at this time.
There’s no quality on the bench or even on the pitch in some positions. It’s disturbing for a club of this magnitude. Squad depth and quality should be the least of Real’s problems. The best players in the world would bite their hands off to play for this club, so how come a transfer window closes and there’s no solution to full-back issues that have lingered on for a long time?
Final Real Madrid Questions
Why is Mariano Diaz still a footballer at this club despite showing time and time again that he is not good enough? Why is Ferland Mendy still the club’s first choice at left back? Why is Asensio being offered a new contract? Why has the teaem treated this transfer window like an inconvenience rather than an opportunity to strengthen the side?
Why does Real Madrid have to play players out of position to cover their asses while they can go and get players who are natural in that position? If Odriozola is not good enough why is he still at the club after all these years? Why hasn’t he been offloaded and replaced?
All these questions need to be answered. And unfortunately, the fans will have to wait a little longer for the answers. It’s hard not to see Real ending this season empty-handed. It would take a massive implosion from Barcelona for them to win the league and another anomaly for them to win the Champions League. All these are because of obvious issues that failed to be resolved by the club.
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