What could Real Madrid's starting 11 look like with Kylian Mbappe?
As the world holds it's breath Kylian Mbappe prepares to realize a childhood dream, playing for Real Madrid CF.
The inclusion of Kylian Mbappe into the the lineup of Real Madrid has certainly got to be one of the better kinds of headaches that Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti could have.
Fitting Mbappe into the starting 11 of Real Madrid
The imminent arrival of French forward, Kylian Mbappé brings with it not just immense amounts of expectation, but the promise of real change to a side that has been seemingly missing that essential piece in recent times. At 22 Mbappe will undboutedly offer a variety of options to head coach Carlo Ancelotti and his squad.
Based on present form along with availability due to injuries it is safe to assume that the starting line up would look like this:
In Attack
Vinicius Jr, Benzema and Mbappé
In Midfield
Luca Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos
In Defense
Carvajal, Nacho, Alaba, Mendy and Cortois the obvious choice in goal
There is also the question of what to do about Gareth Bale who is still very much a Real Madrid player and for the moment included in Ancelotti's plans. Bale offers both speed and verticality, trademarks of the Merengue brand of football. Time will tell.
Real Madrid and the changes to come
Although the former Monaco man will herald changes within the squad, don't expect Ancelotti to ruffle too many feathers at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid's squad at the moment is quite balanced and as such one can expect the Italian to make only man for man switches. One can easily assume for example that given the uncertainty of his relationship with the club, it may well be Gareth Bale who is asked to make way for Mbappe.
On the other hand there have been calls for the implementation of the BBM Bale, Benzema and Mbappe). Such a front three would surely provide a scare to defenses the world over as the technical ability and raw speed between them would be hard to contain.
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What about Eden Hazard & Vinicius Jr?
One of the problems with having an abundance of talent is that you simply can't play all at the same time. when we consider the headache Ancelotti has one can sympathize. What to do with Eden Hazard and Vinicius Jr? The former was intended to be a new Galatico and to date has arguably not returned what was invested. Will this be Hazard's year? The latter has made a brilliant start to the season and could be considered Madrid's best player at the moment. At such a young age he would have to feel hard done if his playing time is reduced.
He has weathered criticism both from inside the club and outside, while continuing to improve. In the first two games his proficiency in front of goal was most definitely on show as he scored 3 goals. Should he continue at this level it could be argued that a front three of Vinicius Jr, Benzema and Mbappe would be the obvious choice. Watch this space.
If it isn't broken don't fix it
While many things change and especially so in football there are some things that will always remain the same. Ancelotti will presumably continue to use the same formation that led him to win 'La Décima' in his first stint at Madrid, the 4-3-3.
Mbappé's verticality will allow players like Benzema and Hazard - both of whom like to have the ball at their feet in order to create - the opportunity to generate a greater quantity of opportunities. The Parisian will no doubt find himself a large quantity of opportunities. Now it's simply a matter of waiting to see when he will finally wear the famous white jersey of Real Madrid and what defense will face him first.