Bellingham would be the last big piece of the puzzle
The signing of Jude Bellingham would be the icing on the cake, the last brick in Real Madrid‘s spectacular reconstruction. If the new Estadio Santiago Bernabeu is a masterpiece of engineering, the sporting work to build the team of the future is not far behind.
Six years ago, Madrid began their major overhaul. It was a matter of finding the future starting eleven that would replace the legendary team that had won three consecutive Champions League titles. That team would gradually part ways and new players had to be found.
The all-powerful BBC or the dominant CMK had to be replaced. In between, Madrid had to deal with the departures of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, the plummet of Marcelo and other obstacles.
It was an almost complete overhaul of an unrepeatable side that won 9 titles between 15-16 and 17-18 alone. Then there was the added difficulty of a tough market dominated by state-run clubs and further hampered by a pandemic that complicated everything.
It is true that part of the ‘old guard’ have been reborn. If in 18-19 it seemed that the team was falling apart completely, the likes of Modric, Kroos, Benzema, Casemiro and Ramos had one more purple patch to land more titles (6 from 19-20 to the current one). Now, after signing Endrick, Madrid see in Bellingham the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle to wrap up a project of more than six years.
Vinicius-Rodrygo-Endrick for Cristiano-Benzema-Bale
Endrick‘s arrival closes the circle of Real Madrid’s new attack of the future to succeed the historic trident of Benzema-Bale-Cristiano.
CR7 left in 2018 and Vinicius arrived, and is now a certain starter and one of the best players in the world with a market value that far exceeds 100 million euros. Rodrygo also looks like a safe long-term bet that replaces the void Gareth Bale left.
To replace Benzema, Madrid already have Endrick. Mbappe was plan A to lead the trident of the future, but without the Frenchman, it is another Brazilian who will join Vinicius and Rodrygo. A new attack to mark an era for 150 million euros.
Tchouameni-Valverde-Camavinga for Casemiro-Modric-Kroos
Valverde arrived quietly and was in danger of ‘burning out’ after the 18-19 season but the club always had confidence in Fede and last year he became one of the best midfielders in the world.
With Modric, Casemiro and Kroos still going strong, Madrid were able to gamble on market opportunities in the form of young talent. Thus Camavinga arrived in 2021 for just over 30m euros and Tchouameni last summer for around 80m. Now the target is Bellingham to round off a revolution of more than 200m euros of investment.
Then there is the matter restructuring the centre of defence with Alaba, Militao (50m) and Rudiger, reinforcing the left back spot with Mendy (50m) and the shrewd signing of Courtois (35m), who guarantees a safe pair of hands for 10 years.
All this without forgetting that Madrid also had to address a change in the dugout after the departure of Zidane. Los Blancos managed to find stability through Ancelotti. The overhaul is near completion and Bellingham may be the last big piece of the new ‘puzzle’.
Source: marca.com
