MERCATO – LIGA – Real Madrid challenged by a revolution that arrived faster than expected

The revolution is on. More or less forced. Real Madrid are facing a challenge they saw coming. But not necessarily so fast. This summer, the merengue club will thus have to afford a fairly substantial facelift of its workforce. And the surprise departure of Karim Benzema is seriously accelerating a process that everyone had sensed since the disillusionment with Manchester City in the Champions League.

The slap against Pep Guardiola’s Citizens in C1 brought to light the flaws of this Real. Combined with the disappointment of La Liga where the Merengues saw FC Barcelona take over the domestic title, this Mancunian lesson reminded everyone that the aging of Real’s captains was a subject to keep in mind. Changes were then to be expected. In a club the size of the White House, you don’t end such a season without doing anything. But the socios certainly didn’t expect to see their group go so far. Especially since it’s not in the DNA of this Real.

The idea was not to replace Benzema but to support him

In recent years, Real Madrid has mainly made more or less significant changes to its workforce. With a few additions to strengthen his eleven or prepare for the future. But apart from Casemiro or Raphaël Varane, the key departures were not decisive. And if the end of the contract of Marco Asensio, Eden Hasard or even Mariano Diaz will not turn everything upside down, that of Karim Benzema and perhaps that of Nacho, who also seems close to leaving, has nothing to do with it. an epiphenomenon.

If Nacho also leaves the meringue ship as announced by the Spanish press, Real Madrid would lose two pillars of the locker room. Two frames. Nacho’s departure is obviously less crucial sportingly, but we must not underestimate the weight of a player who plays regularly thanks to his versatility and has been part of the walls of the White House for more than ten years now. For Benzema, however, it is easy to realize the impact of his choice: it is an earthquake. The performance at the Etihad, where KB9 was disappointing, highlighted the crucial need to have a real option capable of supporting the Ballon d’Or 2022 at the center forward position. But the idea was not to simply replace it.

If he experienced physical glitches after a grueling last season, Benzema remained decisive for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real. He was his offensive leader. Just his captain. So of course, Real still have historical pillars, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are still there for one last dance, even if they also seemed to be in trouble in the north of England. But this farewell from Benzema will fold the cards. And bring more or less profound changes.

The obligation to aim straight ahead

After moving into another dimension in recent seasons, Vinícius Júnior should notably find himself a little more in the spotlight. But above all, the Madrid board will not have to miss out on its offensive recruits for the summer. Because if the side position requires some adjustments, that of number 9 becomes vital. We’ll have to find someone with broad shoulders and the talent to take over from Benzema. To assume this special pressure of being the center forward of Real and to feed the brand without shaking.

Targeted when Tottenham could finally open the door to him, Harry Kane seems to have the ideal profile on paper while Kylian Mbappé does not seem inclined to move this summer from PSG and Erling Haaland is also untouchable for the moment. Victor Osimhen (Naples) or Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) can also be great options. But while Kai Havertz (Chelsea) is quoted by As, this nine who will arrive cannot be the only ones to land in the Spanish capital. It will be necessary to find this other player able to support him. The good news ? The recent departures, which freed up 75 million in payroll, will help carry out these operations.

For the first time in a long time, Real Madrid finds itself, however, facing a period of uncertainty to manage. With some doubts about his future. Of course, there remains a solid framework with Courtois, Vinicius, Militao, Valverde, Modric, Kroos or even Camavinga and Tchouaméni, who must resume their march forward after a more complicated year. But the recent departures sound like a change of scenery, which was not common for the Madrid institution inhabited with a certain stability for years now.