Which three systems could Real Madrid play with after the arrival of Kylian Mbappé?

Kylian Mbappé's transfer to Real Madrid has been all but made official, with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al Kheaïfi admitting to a confidant that attacker’s switch to the LaLiga giants was “100% done,” as previously reported by AS.

Madrid show patience to sign Mbappé from PSG

The arrival of the Frenchman will be the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake for manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose roster has been carefully and patiently pieced together season after season since his return, in the hope that Mbappé would eventually sign on the dotted line.

Madrid will expect to reap the rewards having taken a long-term approach to their squad building, as shown by their decision not to sign a central striker - and leave the number 9 jersey vacant - after Karim Benzema’s departure to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023.

Now, it appears as if Ancelotti will finally have an elite-level forward at his disposal again, although his main issue will be fitting Mbappé into a team whose front line has picked itself for most of the current campaign. The Italian could look to use any of the following three systems, assuming Toni Kroos, who on Thursday revealed his intention to come out of international retirement with Germany, doesn’t renew his contract in the Spanish capital, which has been heavily rumoured.

Mbappé as the centre-forward in a 4-3-3

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All out attack is Ancelotti’s first option. A 4-3-3 with electrifying pace, midfield muscle and a goal threat from all over. The Italian favoured this system with the BBC (Benzema, Bale, Cristiano) and in Los Blancos’ run to their 14th Champions League victory in 2022, with Fede Valderde as a false winger. Benzema’s departure and Jude Bellingham’s arrival last summer forced the Madrid coach to have a rethink for the current season.

While there might not be quite as cute an acronym for them, a front three of Rodrygo, Mbappé and Vinícius, with the attributes they possession and their ability to play in different positions across the front line, would strike fear into any defence.

Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has given Ancelotti a helping hand by often deploying Mbappé as a central striker for PSG, a role he has previously said he isn’t a fan of. Of the 25 year old’s 32 goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, 20 and six respectively have come in his 18 games playing through the middle. He may not be especially enamoured with it, but it’s a position the France captain can play to devastating effect.

The downside is that Bellingham, a goalscoring revelation so far in 2023-24, would have to play a deeper role, which would lead to one of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni losing their place as a first pick in midfield. Valverde’s powerful, non-stop running and eye for goal mean he is assured of his starting spot.

This would be the most adventurous lineup Ancelotti could deploy, although Bellingham did emerge as of world soccer’s most talented young players - and got his move to Spain - precisely because of his performances in a similar role, in which defending was a key requirement.

Bellingham remains central, Mbappé replaces Rodrygo on the right

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The other two systems which appear to be available to Ancelotti would see Rodrygo drop out of the team. The Italian has got the best out of Bellingham in a somewhat lop-sided rhombus formation, and may be reluctant to remove him from a position he has excelled in, averaging a goal a game in the early stages of the season (he now has 20 goals in 29 appearances).

This system would, in theory, allow Bellingham to keep doing what he has been doing, with Valverde and Camavinga supporting in the wider midfield roles and Tchouaméni shielding the defence. Mbappé would step in for Rodrygo, but would be asked to play in a relatively unfamiliar role on the right of the attack. Both he and Vinícius may also be required to do some additional defensive work.

Mbappé teams up with Vinícius in a front two

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Real Madrid have used a 4-4-2 with greater frequency as this season has gone on, a formation which has provided the most defensive solidity. The central midfield duo of Kroos and Valverde has given Los Merengues most success, with Camavinga and Tchouaméni still to be given a run in the team together in this system. However, the French duo are expected to be in the heart of the engine room for years to come, which could see Valverde move back out to the right and Bellingham on the left.

Vinícius and Mbappé would be relatively free of defensive duties, while the Englishman, who has played a similar role several times this season, could continue to come inside towards goal and has the defensive nous to cover opposition attacks on that flank.

Ancelotti’s star-studded Real Madrid roster

Should veterans Kroos and Luka Modric ultimately decide to stay for another year, Ancelotti will be given further food for thought. Whichever system he decides to use, though, he will have a plethora of top-level backups on his roster.

Brahim Díaz would fit into any of the three systems, either in central or wide roles, while Rodrygo would be desperate to regain his place and an undisputed starter in other circumstances. As has been the case this season, Joselu would continue to offer something different as a centre-forward.

On top of that, Brazilian prodigy Endrick will join the club in July, Arda Güler will finally return to full fitness (although he may go out on loan) and Ancelotti is a fan of Dani Ceballos, who has also had injury issues to contend with. A selection headache for Ancelotti, but one he’ll be delighted to have.