Also knows as the Galacticos, the 10 time Champions League winner, Real Madrid failed to impress in the previous season after a strong start. Their hopes of retaining the UCL were crashed by the Old Lady and the high profile club went trophy less last season. This led to the sacking of the manager Carlos Ancelloti and ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was appointed in his place. He will want to take his team to new heights and will want to take the club back to the top position where it belongs.
For the Madrid fans all around the world, we bring this article with a round-up of the strengths and weaknesses that the club might want to concentrate on before the start of the new season. We have also included a brief round-up of the transfer activity of the club in the present transfer window.
Strengths:
The Spanish club has some great players in front of goal in Christiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. They are assisted by the likes of Toni Kroos and Modric who are slick and proffessional. James Rodriguez, Jese and Isco also provide enough fire power and depth to the already impressive squad.
In defense, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Varane are one of the best in the business in Europe. The club has one of the strongest defensive lines with the likes of Marcelo, Carvajal and Arbeloa in the wing back positions. They have a very balanced squad and will be eager to start the new season on a positive note.
Weaknesses:
The club has just lost its legend Iker Casillas to FC Porto under harsh circumstances and only has the services of Keylor Navas and Pacheco inbetween the posts. They will want to get another top class keeper who can push Navas to always work hard. They have acquired the services of K. Casilla from Espanyol but are linked with United’s David de Gea. But the move seems less likely to happen as the days pass by.
Karim Benzema is the only recognized striker in the squad and with Hernandez completing his loan spell from Manchester United, Madrid are in need of a top class striker. But many reports suggest that Benzema may be sold this summer and this will mean that the club will need more than one striker with the number of games the club plays in a season. Depth in the attacking front is something the new coach Rafael Bentiez will surely look at.
Transfer Round up:
As already mentioned, Casillas has moved to Porto on a permanent deal after a small rift with the club. K. Casilla has come into the club along with D. Cheryshev. Danilo is the costliest buy from the Madrid team. The deal cost them 31.5 million from FC Porto who rate him highly. S Khedira is the biggest loss for the club as he moved on to Juventus in a free transfer.
It is believed that Benitez still wants a striker or two from this market. But the likes of United are looking to bring Bale back to the Premier League and the club will have to act fast if they want to keep their prized possession. They are also believed to be linked with Harry Kane of Tottenham which will be great addition to the club.
The club was on a high after La Decima in the 2013-14 season but were not able to repeat it in the previous season. They will want to go into the new season as a stronger team and the new manager, Rafa Bentiez will want to prove that he is capable of managing a team of this caliber.