English Premier League
Real Madrid’s midfield concerns exposed after Rodri deal collapses
Real Madrid’s difficult victory over Deportivo La Coruna in the Teresa Herrera trophy has increased concerns about the team’s midfield, with analysts warning that the failure to sign Rodri Hernandez could leave a tactical weakness throughout the season.
The Spanish giants won at Riazor with their strongest available line-up under Jose Mourinho during his second spell in charge, but the result did little to disguise the problems that have become increasingly apparent during pre-season.
Speaking on SER Deportivos, journalists Antonio Romero and Tomas Roncero said a friendly trophy could be added to Real Madrid’s honours, but it could not conceal shortcomings in the team’s balance or creativity.
Romero said assessing pre-season matches was difficult, stressing that Real Madrid were operating at only “20 to 30%” of their potential. However, he argued that the team still appeared to be missing a midfielder capable of creating and controlling games.
“Real Madrid still feels as though it is missing a playmaker in midfield,” Romero said. “They have an outstanding defensive team and an almost unstoppable attacking force, but there is room for improvement in midfield.”
Roncero said the club could not afford to become complacent after failing to complete a deal for Rodri Hernandez. The Manchester City midfielder had been identified as a possible solution to the problem, but Real Madrid did not secure his signing.
“If you wanted to sign Rodri and you did not, that means you have to fill that gap,” Roncero said. “If you ultimately do not sign him, you will feel that absence throughout the season.”
He added that the club could no longer argue that the issue was unimportant, given the growing evidence from their preparation matches.
Romero suggested that Mourinho might find an alternative solution by reshaping the midfield rather than relying on a conventional playmaker. He described that approach as being in keeping with the Portuguese manager’s methods.
“If there is a manager in the world capable of bypassing midfield to build a winning team, it is probably Mourinho,” Romero said. “But you do not have to look far to see that Real Madrid’s most successful team in history included Casemiro, Kroos and Modric.”
He then identified Bernardo Silva as a player who could make the kind of tactical sacrifice required to strengthen the side.
“Based on what I saw in La Coruna, what I have watched from him at City and his experience, I think Bernardo Silva would accept that sacrifice,” Romero said.
“He could be a soldier for Mourinho. If he was asked to play alongside Tchouameni and provide some support, he reminds me a little of Modric.”
Romero ruled out several other midfield options for that particular role, including Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde.
He also called for patience from Real Madrid supporters regarding new signing Yan Diomande, who is not yet 20. Romero said the demands at Real Madrid were entirely different from producing a few impressive minutes for Leganes.
The discussion also turned to left-back Marc Cucurella, who Romero believes could become a major crowd favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu. Although Diomande has attracted considerable attention, Romero said supporters were especially eager to see Cucurella attacking down the flank.
“Diomande attracts a lot of attention, but the player everyone is desperate to see running down the wing at the Bernabeu is Cucurella,” he said. “He is the type of footballer you have to love. Since Marcelo and Roberto Carlos, we have had the feeling at the Bernabeu that we would be able to enjoy a vertical left-back.”
