The vibes at Real Madrid have been overwhelmingly positive following a historic double and the signings of Mbappe and Endrick. What has you worried heading into the new season?
Lucas Navarrete: I feel like this will be a very popular answer, but it has to be the lack of depth defensively. Real Madrid took a similar approach last year with the offensively line and luckily it paid off in part because of Joselu’s contributions. Finding that kind of signing for the defense this summer —Laporte makes a ton of sense— would erase most of my concerns, but the lack of depth is very, very serious right now.
Kiyan: One thing, and one thing only: The depth chart in the defensive line. There is very little to worry about from an offensive perspective with the amount of fire power in attack. Losing Nacho specifically was a massive blow. He played over 1700 minutes last season. Not having that kind of insurance in the squad will be hard to cope with. If Aurelien Tchouameni has to play center-back for long stretches of the season, it also means that Eduardo Camavinga will be taxed with a lot of minutes as the DM. If Real Madrid can survive the lack of depth in defense, everything else should fall into place.
Sam Leveridge: Getting rotations right. It was no coincidence that the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior looked exhausted for their countries in the summer after playing every available minute for the club. There are 70 possible games this season, and demanding more than 50 of anyone is a big ask, especially after an international tournament summer. If injuries hit because of that, that’ll be when the lack of depth, particularly in defence, begins to show.
Mehedi: Lack of depth in defense. While Carlo Ancelotti managed well with Tchouameni at center-back last season, the departure of Nacho and the severity of Alaba’s injury have effectively reduced our center-back options. It’s unlikely that Ancelotti will rely heavily on Jesus Vallejo. Additionally, with Toni Kroos no longer in the squad, Tchouameni now has greater responsibilities in the midfield. If he is required to cover at center-back again, it could disrupt the team’s overall build-up play.
Matt Wiltse: Complacency. Last season was historic: two losses all year and a La Liga + Champions League double, a feat only achieved five times in 122 years. No matter how you spin it, that will be tough to beat. The excitement and hype around the team are at an all-time high, which means a drop in form or a poor run of games could lead to a cataclysmic backlash and materially impact the season. As talented as this group of players are, they have to always remember the “suffering” and “sacrifice” it takes to win trophies and compete at the highest level.
Hridyam: It has to be Real Madrid’s depth chart in defense. Real Madrid have two great centre-backs, and then a few question marks follow. Relying on Aurelien Tchouameni as third-choice paid off last season, but now, with Real Madrid potentially playing 70+ games, it does not seem like the best idea. Signing a veteran like Aymeric Laporte or Mats Hummels made the most sense to me. All it takes is a weird combination of an injury and a suspension to give Real Madrid a bucketload of trouble, and it would have a domino effect on the rest of the lineup.
Kroos Out, Mbappe In! Is it as simple as that? How does Ancelotti keep everyone happy knowing players like Rodrygo, Camavinga, Brahim, or Arda Guler could be consistently missing out on starting the “big” games?
Matt Wiltse: This season will be the ultimate test for the ultimate man-manager. The “final boss” in Ancelotti’s illustrious career. Are all these players listed above happy enough to stay with Real Madrid another year after 2024-2025? That will be how Ancelotti gets graded on squad harmony and whether or not everyone buys in to their role. The Italian has hinted at full-on “rest periods” for players throughout the season (no travel, no squad-list – training and time with family only) – does that allow for everyone to feel important or do sporting objectives / injuries get in the way and squash those plans?
Sam Leveridge: He can’t. Ancelotti is the best in the game when it comes to managing a locker room and the egos in it, but there’s too many options to give them all the minutes they want, and rightly so because all of these players would start every game at almost any other club in the world. It’s not sustainable long-term to keep them all, so Madridistas have to soak it in while it lasts this season and hope that those on the fringes remain committed and professional until next summer.
Mehedi: Carlo Ancelotti has always built his squad around players he trusts the most. Interestingly, the Once de Gala—likely the one that played against Atalanta—represents his best lineup based on merit and trust. If everyone is fit, Ancelotti is unlikely to deviate from this lineup. Among the rotation players—Modric, Güler, Brahim, Camavinga, Endrick, and Ceballos—Modric is already aware of his more limited role. Brahim, Camavinga, and Güler are expected to see significant minutes as substitutes, while Ceballos understands his role on the fringes. Endrick, given his youth and inexperience, is not in a position to demand substantial playing time. Overall, managing rotations may not be as challenging for Ancelotti as it initially seems.
Lucas: I feel like there will be minutes for everyone because of injuries and the aforementioned lack of depth on defense. I expect Tchouameni to play many minutes as a defender this year, which will give Camavinga the chance to be an undisputed starter in the midfield in many games. Offensively, it won’t be that easy, especially for players like Brahim or Güler, who will be competing with Rodrygo for minutes all year long. If Güler is moved to a midfield role as Ancelotti did during the pre-season, that would alleviate some of the pressure.
Hridyam: Injuries and suspensions are very common in football, so I expect most of these players to get significant minutes, even in the big games. Keeping most of them happy should be doable. However, the leash is shorter for everyone. If, for example, Rodrygo has a bad string of games like he did last season, I don’t see Carlo insisting on starting him as much as he did back then, and that is where a problem may arise.
Kiyan: Not everyone will be happy. The reality is that great players have ambition, and no matter how much you buy in to this ‘power of friendship’ thing, it will be hard to keep this all together by 2026. Look, one of the hardest things about forming great teams is that all great teams have great depth, and great depth is hard to sustain because the unsung heroes will realize their worth and want to play more. That’s human nature. Having said that, this collection of young ambitious players should provide for some great competition in the the squad, so not being able to keep everyone happy is not necessarily a bad thing.
What are you most looking forward to ahead of the new season?
Mehedi: Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure after the 2017-18 season, when Real Madrid scored 94 goals, the team has not surpassed the 90-goal mark in LaLiga. In the 2023-24 season, they came close with 87 goals. With the addition of Kylian Mbappé, I am optimistic about the team exceeding 90 goals in LaLiga in the 2024-25 season.
Kiyan: The synergy and sheer offensive devastation of the Bellingham – Vinicius – Mbappe trifecta, plus the increased influence of Arda Güler.
Matt Wiltse: The link-up between Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Bellingham in the final third, Arda Guler’s progression, and the evolution of Madrid’s game-play post-Kroos.
Lucas: Mbappé, Vinicius and Bellingham working together. It should be a great attacking trio and they should complement each other really well. Bellingham will be allowed to take a step back and do what he does best, which is creating plays for his teammates while reaching scoring positions from a few meters back.
Sam Leveridge: Having a “Galáctico” at the Bernabéu again. Mbappé is the biggest signing Real Madrid have made since Cristiano Ronaldo, which means that stadiums will be sold out both home and away with fans turning out to see La Liga’s star attraction. There hasn’t been so much buzz around a new signing for over a decade, and it’s good news for Spanish football, not just Real Madrid. Add in all the goals he should bring, and it’ll be a fun ride.
Hridyam: Counter-attacks. Venomous counter-attacks. Real Madrid have some of the most devastating players you could have on the break. Once everything clicks, we will see a lot of goals, and many of those will be against big teams on the counter.
What is your “hot take” for the season?
Sam Leveridge: This will be Carlo Ancelotti’s last season at Real Madrid. It’s hard to imagine that he’ll be able to match the success of last season and expectations are sky high. That, combined with the intensity of such a long season, could wear down either the coach himself, who will turn 66 next summer, or the club. Add in a Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen who won’t wait forever and will find himself just as unlikely to match his achievements of last season, and the timing could be right for all parties.
Kiyan: Adding Mbappe will not take away goals from Bellingham, Rodrygo, and others. Adding Mbappe will only amplify everyone’s goals. More space, more chaos, more chances, more goals. Opponents will chase games and there will be more ‘blow-outs’ like there were in the ‘BBC’ era. Don’t be surprised if Bellingham matches his goal-scoring output from last season despite playing deeper.
Mehedi: I have to reiterate what Sam mentioned above with a slight twist. I think this will be Carlo’s last season but he will end his career at Real Madrid on a high with even more accolades than last season.
Lucas: Arda Güler becomes a starter on the right wing —not as a midfielder—, which will force Real Madrid to make a decision about Rodrygo next summer. I really feel Arda is ready and his playmaking ability, combined with his impressive finishing could be very helpful and what Real Madrid should look for on that right wing spot.
Matt Wiltse: Rodrygo and Eduardo Camavinga will both earn starting positions by the end of the season with Tchouameni being the odd-man out. The Frenchman has had an up and down career at Real Madrid thus far and this season’s competition will be ruthless. Many assume it’s Rodrygo or Camavinga to the bench but keep an eye on Tchouameni’s spot.
Hridyam: Arda Güler becomes a bigger rotational piece than the others over the course of the season, and, by the end, becomes a starter, whether in midfield or attack. We saw what he could do last season in minimal minutes. With a brilliant Euros campaign, followed by a really solid preseason while being in better shape than ever before, Güler is going to start gunning for a starting spot, and he will get it.
Give us your predictions for:
Kiyan: Ferland Mendy. He will have more to do defensively as Mbappe and Vinicius ahead of him won’t be defending much. This is the year Mendy’s legacy will go to another level.
Lucas: Brahim Diaz. I believe he will score some crucial goals and make some key players whenever he’s given the opportunity to play, which could happen often if injuries or suspensions happen.
Matt Wiltse: Dani Carvajal – if the fullback can maintain his form and stay injury-free for another season, he is a critical part of this Real Madrid engine. His partner on the other side of the pitch, Ferland Mendy, would be next on the list. These two at their best are the unsung heros and key cogs to Real Madrid’s success.
Sam Leveridge: Aurelien Tchouameni. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his performances and his consistency, which will gain even more importance without Toni Kroos, and it’s almost certain that he’ll be needed out of position in defence again this season.
Mehedi: Fede Valverde. With the glamour around Mbappe, Vinicius, Jude and Rodrygo, Fede’s contributions often do not get as much recognition as they truly deserve. I think this will be a huge season for him but his work may still remain under the giant shadows of his colleagues.
Hridyam: Aurelien Tchouameni. He is an extremely intelligent football player, and will, with time, take on a bigger role after Kroos’ departure, especially in distribution and ball progression. Also, there is less defensive coverage in the midfield because of Real Madrid reverting to a three-man midfield, so his defensive work will also be key in deciding games.
Hridyam: Arda Güler. After a great Euro campaign and a full-fledged preseason under his belt, he does not need any time to get match-fit like he did last season. He will have a bigger role, and he will improve both offensively and defensively, slowly starting to morph into the midfielder that Ancelotti eventually wants him to become.
Lucas: Arda Güler. If he becomes a starter like I predicted, going from being buried on the bench to starting would be quite a story. He has to be my pick.
Sam Leveridge: Arda Güler. Only four starts in La Liga and not a single minute in the Champions League last season should make this an easy one for the Turkish teenager, who will be a real weapon off the bench and in the second string. He’s already shown in cameos and in pre-season that he can be “the best of the rest”.
Mehedi: Arda Güler — I expect him to play a crucial role in Madrid’s success, specially in LaLiga this season where individual inspiration is often need to break down stubborn lowblocks.
Kiyan: Rodrygo. He’s the most criticized of the attack now as he hasn’t been putting away his chances consistently. He will take advantage of the new-found space that will open up for him with so much attention on Mbappe and Vinicius. (My actual answer was Arda Güler before everyone decided to agree.)
Matt Wiltse: Dani Ceballos – there is simply no denying Ceballos’ talent, both from the eye-test and the stats (his StatsBomb radars are similar to Kroos and Rodri, top percentile for CMs). Over the past few season, it has actually been veteran players that have been most improved (Carvajal, Rudiger, Benzema). I would like to see Ceballos have a role similar to the end of 2021/2022 and replicate that form.
Matt Wiltse: Vinicius Junior. He is the club’s franchise player and the best in the world. An x-factor, a decisive player even when he is not at his best. There is still room for him to grow further (left foot, heading, pressing angles) which is only a frightening proposition for opposing teams.
Mehedi: Kylian Mbappe. I expect him to win the Pichichi and be the top scorer in the Champions League.
Hridyam: Jude Bellingham. The forwards will score all the goals, but Bellingham will be the guy who unlocks everything for them. On a small sample size, we have seen a new role for Bellingham so far. He will start in a deeper position, so he might not score as many goals, but he will be crucial to the team’s success.
Kiyan: Kylian Mbappe. He will net 40+ goals. It will be hard to argue against that.
Lucas: Vinicius. Playing alongside Mbappe should give him more room to operate as the opposition will not be allowed to leave the French star open. Vinicius is about to enjoy the best season of his career.
Sam Leveridge: Fede Valverde. The glory and glamour will go to the guys in attack, but the real key to success this season will be in the engine room where there’s a chance for Fede Valverde to step up and really become a leader within this team.
Give us your final season predictions: Standings in La Liga, Copa, UCL, and the new Club World Cup:
Sam Leveridge: La Liga: Champions. Copa del Rey: Quarter-final. Champions League: Semi-final. New Club World Cup: Champions.
With the number of games this season and with not the most squad depth, not even this squad can compete on all fronts like they almost did last season. There’s a real gap in quality in La Liga which should be enough, but in a Copa del Rey knock-out game against a side like Atlético Madrid or Athletic Club, a weakened line-up could come unstuck and Real Madrid have bigger fish to fry. If they want to keep the momentum going through to the Club World Cup, where Real Madrid have it all to play for, it’s a sacrifice Carlo Ancelotti might have to make.
Lucas: LaLiga: Champions. Copa del Rey: Champions. Champions League: Semifinals. New World Cup: Champions.
Going back-to-back in the Champions League is extremely difficult and while this team is definitely capable of achieving that, it always seems unrealistic and almost unfair to set that kind of expectation. Winning the Copa del Rey should be somewhat manageable this season considering the depth Real Madrid have on offense, which is what usually matters most in this competition. In LaLiga, I expect Barcelona and even Atletico to improve some, but Real Madrid have the better team and should be champions once again. The New World Cup should be Madrid’s if they take it seriously, which remains to be seen.
Matt Wiltse: La Liga: Champions | Champions League: Semi-final | Copa del Rey: Semi-final | New Club World Cup: Champions
Mehedi:
LaLiga – Champions (but with a very narrow margin)
UCL – Champions
Copa del Rey – Champions
Club World Cup – Champions
I just really don’t see any team beating this Real Madrid side in cup competitions this season unless Real Madrid messes things up massively by themselves.
Hridyam: La Liga: Champions. Copa del Rey: Quarter-final. Champions League: Winners. New Club World Cup: Champions.
Kiyan: La Liga: Champions. Copa del Rey: Quarter-final. Champions League: Champions. New Club World Cup: Champions.
Real Madrid will win the Champions League every year. They’re the best team in La Liga. The new Club World Cup is the cool new ‘triplete’. Book it.
