Real Madrid have enjoyed another expensive summer spending spree, with the £63 million transfer of James Rodriguez from Monaco meaning they now have three of the four most expensive players of all-time in their side. Throw in the acquisition of a certain Toni Kroos and that makes Real Madrid strong favourites to become the first side to retain the Champions League trophy in the competition’s current format.
Whilst Kroos was a bargain at just £24 million, Florentino Perez made the the marquee transfer of the summer by signing Rodriguez, continuing the trend from last summer after buying Gareth Bale for a world record £86m.
The Colombian scored six goals at the World Cup in Brazil and won the Golden Boot despite being knocked out in the quarter-finals. Fantastic throughout, Diego Maradona argued he should have won the Golden Ball – the tournament’s best player – instead of Lionel Messi, who lost in the final.
In truth, Real Madrid didn’t need Rodriguez, but now they have sold Angel Di Maria the addition of Rodriguez has transpired to be a necessity, and the money acquired from the sale of the Argentine means that the Colombian star only cost a relatively small amount of money.
Carlo Ancelotti has an incredible squad at his hands and may well lead them onto more success this season. His debut season with Los Blancos saw him pick up the Copa del Rey and the Champions League – the club’s tenth.
The Italian’s strongest possible XI is the most expensive in history with the £80m Cristiano Ronaldo, £86m Bale, £28m Benzema and now the £63m Rodriguez all on the team sheet.
Real Madrid strongest XI
Behind the quartet is probably the best midfielder in the world on current form: Toni Kroos. The German was majestic for Bayern Munich over the last two years and was the catalyst in midfield for his country’s success at the World Cup in Brazil.
Next to him Ancelotti has Luka Modric, who shone last season and really forced his style and authority on the team, controlling things in the middle of the pitch. Behind them is the defence that can struggle – as was evident against Real Sociedad last week – but can also force shutouts like the ones against Munich in the Champions League semi-finals last season.
This is an incredible line-up with plenty more options on the bench and in the stands for Ancelotti to consider.
Real Madrid back-up XI
Raphael Varane is may be in the starting XI ahead of Pepe, with his partnership with Sergio Ramos blossoming last season – particularly in the latter stages.
An alternative in the centre-back position also is the highly-rated Nacho, with around them are the experienced heads of Fabio Coentrao and Alvaro Arbeloa with one of the World Cup’s best players – Keylor Navas – keeping net.
In midfield is Asier Illarramendi who cost the club around £30 million last summer who has been tipped to take over from Xabi Alonso in the Spanish national side. His calm touch on the ball and excellent vision allows him to sit deep and control the game.
The attack obviously isn’t as good as Ancelotti’s first-choice options, but the likes of Isco, Jese Rodriguez and Javier Hernandez are good options off the bench. They have attacking flair and both strikers have an eye for goal which is important when the first-teamers are struggling.
In midfield between Illarramendi and the forwards is Sami Khedira and either Kroos or Modric, who have to drop into this side. Khedira has been courted around Europe all summer and is a victim of the club’s riches. He could probably start for most other sides across Europe’s elite but due to the money spent at Madrid, he struggles for starts.
This squad has an unbelievable amount of talent. The only side in Europe that comes close to the talent that Madrid have is Bayern Munich and the German giants will be Real’s closest challengers for the Champions League trophy next May.
It will take some side to beat this Real Madrid team once they get going with the new recruits.
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