Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are both set the majority of the 2023-24 season, meaning the need for a Karim Benzema replacement is even greater
Eder Militao knew something was wrong immediately. Real Madrid's centre-back grimaced, pounded the ground, and yelled in pain after jamming his foot awkwardly into the San Mames turf. His knee popped, and a million social media doctors could tell this would be a long-term issue.
They were right. Militao is likely out for the season after tearing his ACL, Madrid's best defender missing for a whole campaign. Just three days earlier, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sustained a knee injury of his own. He, too, probably won't return until the 2024-25 campaign. And at the wrong side of 30, there's reason to believe he might not be the same again.
Those two injuries leave Madrid with a pressing need for help. The goalkeeper issue has, to an extent, been addressed with the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, though question marks remain over his suitability for a team with Madrid's aspirations. Centre-back, meanwhile, will be covered for internally, with Antonio Rudiger set to step in alongside David Alaba while Nacho Fernandez offers cover.
But the weakening of the Madrid defence has cast further light on the issue that has dominated the club's entire summer: the search for a new No.9. If Carlo Ancelotti can no longer rely on his world-class goalkeeper or his best centre-back, then there is chance he will need his forward players to step up and outscore their opponents, especially in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Los Blancos have been on the search for a new striker ever since Karim Benzema made the decision to leave and play in the Saudi Pro League. The assumption was that the disgruntled Kylian Mbappe would arrive from Paris Saint-Germain, but he, perhaps predictably, changed his mind, and will stay in France for at least another year.
Spain international Joselu has arrived, but the fact that he was left out of the line-up for Madrid's La Liga opener against Athletic Club confirms what most already knew about his suitability to lead the line. A truly elite striker is, then, required to shoulder the goalscoring load.
(C)Getty ImagesMilitao misery
Madrid were arguably a bit short of quality going into this season. While they strengthened inmidfield and at left-back, Los Blancos failed to address other key areas. The front line is, of course, one of them, with no apparent backup for Vinicius Jr., as well as a lack of a reliable striker.
There was also an argument to be made that they needed help in central defence before Militao's injury. While Rudiger and Alaba could — and likely will — make a fine pairing at the back, the lack of depth aside from the ageing Nacho behind them is glaring.
Militao is, of course, no normal loss, either. The Brazilian is probably the best centre-back in La Liga not named Ronald Araujo. He wins headers at a higher clip than most, has among the highest pass-completion percentage in the league of any player — regardless of position. He is capable, in a pinch, of playing right-back, too, a spot where Madrid certainly lack depth behind Dani Carvajal.
Add his not-insignificant six goals, and this is a loss more comparable with the ACL injury Virgil van Dijk sustained for Liverpool in 2020. Theoretically, it's a season ruiner.
AdvertisementReliance on balance
For an Ancelotti team, though, his loss is even more damning. The legendary Italian manager doesn't like rigidity. He doesn't demand certain patterns of play, or employ a defined formation. Instead, his teams stroke the ball around, keeping it until they find the right moment to attack. Effectively, he trusts in the players to piece everything together themselves.
Left-backs end up in central midfield. Midfielders push into the box. Strikers find themselves by the halfway line. And somehow, it all works. The system relies, of course, on having a technically-adept side, ones capable of sliding from position-to-position, gliding around the pitch with the flow of the game. Call it 'vibes'.
But the whole thing relies on balance. All 10 outfield players have to work in unison and control the game. If a piece is removed, then instability ensues. That much has already been clear without Benzema. Madrid don't move the ball around with the same zip in the absence of their club legend.
They relied perhaps too heavily on the brilliance of Jude Bellingham against Athletic, and once Miliato went off, they were less assured in possession, looked more vulnerable at the back, and created less going forward. Take one player out, and the whole team can suffer.
(C)Getty imagesWho they might add
Perhaps, then, this requires a reshuffling. Madrid aren't as solid at the back — and won't be until Militao returns. The answer is to go for firepower at the other end. And that was probably the plan for Madrid, with Mbappe as the answer.
PSG were reportedly convinced that their star man had already agreed a deal to move to Spain, while it was assumed that Los Blancos would make a late push for the forward in the transfer window — assuming that the Parisians would rather let him go for a handsome fee than lose him for nothing in 2024.
Madrid cannot be blamed for their hesitancy here. They have, so far, waited for their primary target to be made available at the right price. But their patience may have cost them. While Mbappe has stayed still, the other pieces in the already-thin striker market have moved rapidly. Goncalo Ramos and Harry Kane both have new clubs. Rasmus Hojlund has also secured a big-money move. Victor Osimhen, meanwhile, has made it clear that he won't leave Napoli — unless a massive offer comes in. And Randal Kolo Muani, another possible target, could yet go to PSG.
The rest of the market makes for grim reading. Romelu Lukaku is out there, but Chelsea want a big fee. Dusan Vlahovic — perhaps the best like-for-like Benzema replacement — won't come cheap, either. This will require some Madrid transfer magic, then.
That's not an unfamiliar concept for Los Blancos. They are, after all, the club that implemented the 'Galacticos' policy for much of the 2000s, and have made their fair share of immense signings since — Bellingham is just the most recent example.
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Getty ImagesBreaking a transfer policy
There is a case to be made here for waiting things out. Madrid are rarely reactionary in the market. Florentino Perez likes to identify his targets well in advance and lay the groundwork for months. That Bellingham was brought in with such little fuss, and so early in the window, is just an example of how shrewd Los Blancos are.
So, they are in unfamiliar territory here — on multiple levels. Usually, they have the depth to be able to account for losses. Madrid, remember, had Benzema leading the line for 15 years. For half of those, he was partnered with Cristiano Ronaldo. Gareth Bale also occasionally chipped in here and there. Even the likes of Marco Asensio, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria were crucial at various junctures. Having a 33-year-old striker whose best days have come at mid-table clubs and only two top-class wingers, then, isn't exactly the kind of squad composition that Madrid are used to.
Even more dangerous is the fact that this will be a hard window to seek value in. Madrid could, and probably will, be deterred by that. There doesn't appear to be a bargain available, especially given that other teams know Madrid are desperate. The reality is, Los Blancos will probably have to spend big.