REAL MADRID
Coronavirus: Real Madrid well-stocked post-crisis
The coronavirus pandemic will send shockwaves through the market and cause players and clubs to lose value but Real Madrid have their bases covered.
The experts all agree: football will not be the same when the pandemic ends. To start, the next few transfer markets will suffer serious consequences and the clubs who have prepared for their future will benefit from that. Real Madrid have done their homework and have a spine of future talent who can act almost like new signings. There are those already there: Valverde, Hazard and Courtois, Vinicius and those yet to be counted on like Odegaard, Reinier and Kubo.
Real Madrid and Zidane have several options move forward. The recent philosophy was centred around the idea that "you have to sign stars before they explode and get picked off by teams like City and PSG." That was the message behind the scenes at the Bernabéu and that idea is now paying off given the circumstances.
Courtois and Mendy, starters for the long term
In defense, whatever happens with Ramos and Varane will happen. Both have to renew their contracts with the club captain in a particularly fragile situation. Madrid have found stability slowly but steadily with Courtois between the sticks. The Belgian has a contract until 2024 and once that ends, he will be 31. Ferland Mendy has a contract for another five years and Zidane is a huge fan. Brazilian defender, Eder Militao (22), is also tied down until 2025 and has the confidence of Tite at Brazil as he waits in the wings at Madrid.
A midfield run by Valverde
It's a criticial area of any team's plans is midfield but Real Madrid have it covered. Casemiro is undroppable for Zidane and has another three years left on his contract. He arrived in Madrid seven years ago and has shown signs of being a future club captain. His renewal is just a matter of time. The key is Fede Valverde though. "He will be a Madrid footballer for the next decade," said those in the know at the club two years ago when it seemed like he didn't have a place at the club. That has been confirmed this season. The Uruguayuan has a contract until 2025 and his clause, like all of the young Madrid players, is impossibly high.
Odegaard and Kubo point to the future
The support of pure talent in Madrid's attacking midfield line is assured with Kubo and Martin Odegaard. Two players currently on loan but who will be counted on for years to come at their parent club. The Norweigan has a contract until 2023, renewed just before he went on loan to Real Sociedad. His father, Hans-Erik, has a very good relationship with Madrid and extending it beyond that date won't bee a problem. Madrid want to keep him after he arrived at the club as a 16-year-old. Kubo is 18 and contracted until 2025 and has a little but more room for development given his age. There is no massive rush with him. The club have to be conscious of his status as a foreigner on the squad list but they are already working on a Spanish passport for Vinicius to alleviate that issue.
The Brazilian and Hazard in attack
Real Brazil is the future up front. Vinicius, Rodrygo and Reinier in attack, three Brazilian stars and not one of them has celebrated their 20th birthday yet. The first two have contracts until 2025 and Reinier is with the club until at least 2026. The cost the club €115 million in total and could come in as the saviours in a couple of years. Asensio also have to come back (contract until 2023) and the last galactico to arrive at the club: Eden Hazard. He says he will be judged on his second season and he has four more as a Madrid player. The future is at his feet.