Champions League winners Real Madrid strengthen with Kylian Mbappé. That’s an enormous luxury. And potentially a problem for some of his future colleagues
Seven heart eyes from Rodrygo. Fede Valverde set off a little emoji bomb. And Vinicius Junior gave us a clock symbol – as a sign that he can hardly wait. In other words, the team-up with Kylian Mbappé, whose transfer to Real Madrid on Monday evening resulted in several social media posts in which his future team-mates expressed great anticipation. But who is really excited?
Too many cooks spoil the broth. On the one hand, that’s three euros in the piggy bank. On the other hand, the Mbappé transfer is certainly a (luxury) situation for the newly crowned Champions League winners. Also due to the signing of Brazilian super talent Endrick. Who will still be able to play for Real in 2024/25? And where?
Even Madrid may not have the advantage of playing with twelve or even 13 men, but at least they have Carlo Ancelotti on the sidelines. A coach who usually adapts his formation to his squad, not the other way around. A coach who is keen to field all of his best players. And perhaps only then to see how they can find themselves. He has long since proven that he can do this. So what could Real’s new starting eleven look like?
King transfer Mbappé is of course set. Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are too. The new triumvirate? Probably not. Bellingham, who almost played as a false nine in the first half of the season, has been withdrawn more and more in recent months. Spanish media reports are not the only ones to suggest that the young Englishman will be an important part of the collective solution to replace Toni Kroos. Ancelotti has already outlined it himself
The first eleven: a closed society?
Instead of the usual 4-2-2-2, a 4-2-3-1 is conceivable, which Ancelotti has tried out from time to time in the past second half of the season. In this formation, Bellingham could play the more attacking part of a double-six alongside Aurelien Tchouameni. This would mean that none of the established attacking players would have to lose their place.
Vinicius Junior could continue to attack on the left wing, while Fede Valverde could also play on the right for balance reasons. Rodrygo, who has no desire to play on the right flank but probably has no prospects on the left, could take on a role as a ten-man or hanging striker, which suits him, as he also plays as Neymar’s replacement in the Brazilian national team. Mbappé, who clearly has the greatest appetite for goals and is most likely to be a goalscorer, will be right up front. Alternative options: Tchouameni and Valverde in the center, Bellingham on the ten, Rodrygo on the right for better or worse. Vinicius and Mbappé will probably rotate anyway
This solution is not only conceivable, it also doesn’t scare away any key players. Especially as the young Endrick can initially accept being introduced to the starting eleven as a wild card, just like the older Joselu, who is likely to be signed permanently and will mainly be used in the closing phases. Should Real ever need a striker.
The players who will have to pay the price for the Mbappé transfer are those who were already the first to start pawing at the ball last season. Eduardo Camavinga, whose standing has fallen somewhat, will probably have to alternate with Tchouameni, while veteran Luka Modric, who will stay for another year, will probably have to make do with the last 20 to 30 minutes. Rotational player Brahim Diaz and the up-and-coming Arda Güler are also unlikely to get the chance to play in the first team. Patience is required. Or a loan?
Real Madrid will have more impressive squad depth than ever in 2024/25, with an excellent second tier. But potential upsets in the squad, in which not even Ancelotti can satisfy everyone, will only shift from the current regulars to the contenders. Real may have to give up one or two attacking players. Dani Ceballos, for example, probably has no future at the club
