Are Mbappé, Davies and Real Madrid About to Break Club Football?

Since news broke on February 20th that Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid had reached an agreement for his move to the La Liga club to join fellow French internationals Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, the Spanish giants have decided they aren’t satisfied. It has been often said that Real have had their eyes on Bayern Munich’s Canadian left-back Alphonso Davies, but news broke this morning that they moved forward and have reached a verbal agreement with the player.

Although there’s been success throughout the campaign thus far, it is evident that Madrid are utilizing an unfamiliar system and have also overcome games despite considerably undermanned defensive reinforcements.

The Departure of Benzema

Real Madrid have often operated out of a 4-3-3 system under longtime manager Carlo Ancelotti. Since the departure of their beloved centre forward Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, and the recent offseason signing of Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, they have been forced to alter their routine formation to allocate for the addition of a box-to-box attacking midfielder and the subtraction of a potent, world class goal scorer.

The solution for which in Ancelotti’s eyes being a 4-1-2-1-2, allowing Bellingham to dictate his position on the pitch according to the flow of the match and the position of the opposition. This way, Jude is able to get in behind the defensive line and receive the ball in dangerous positions, while maintaining his fierce defensive presence and ability to force turnovers. The abilities of both Vinicius Júnior and Rodrygo also enable Jude to rotate out to the wings, where he was ever so dangerous in the Bundesliga, to replace the young and dynamic Brazilian duo when one opts to occupy space in the middle of the pitch.

A massive reason this Bellingham-heavy system is able to operate so fluently is the unbelievable supply of top quality midfielders, including versatile, high-IQ and defensive-minded studs. The rotation including the likes of Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Dani Ceballos does more than its job. Not to mention Bellingham himself. This unit, specifically Camavinga and Tchouaméni’s ability to control the game on both sides of the ball from the defensive midfield position, enable Jude to free roam when he sees fit, almost seamlessly replacing the massive hole left by Benzema.

The central forward position was also somewhat addressed with the recent transfer purchase of Brazilian 17-year-old wonder kid, Endrick from Palmieras. At just 17, it’s doubted he’ll slide directly in to the rotation without hiccups once he joins to club in June, but Endrick is heralded as the next great Brazilian to enter European football, and is most comfortable in the centre forward role. Exactly what Madrid are missing.

It’s become apparent that the work rate of the midfield has compensated extremely well for the lack of a true number 9 in their best XI, yet we’re in store to see how much success they have once one of the best goal scorers in the world joins the side to assume the role up top between the Brazilians, and in front of Jude and Fede.

The Addition of Kylian Mbappé

After a long and admittetly aggravating spell of indecision from the French superstar in 2022, Mbappé was adamant if he departed Paris Saint-Germain it would be in favour of his childhood favourite club, Real Madrid. But despite the immense amount of hype around the transfer, Mbappé was convinced to re-sign in Paris for two years with a one year extension clause. It was said that Mbappé personally called Real club president Florentino Perez to announce his renewed contract.

Now in 2024, 2 years after the snub, Mbappé has expressed his desire to depart from the French club at the season’s end. Last Tuesday, February 20th, BBC reported that Kylian told the PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he was leaving for Madrid. Reports emerged the Thursday prior, and subsequently Mbappé was left out of the squad on the weekend.

Mbappé’s transfer to Madrid would then mean the Spanish club would have 3 of the 4 players with the highest market values in the world according to Transfermarkt.

The Contract

The contract that has been agreed to but not yet signed between Mbappé and Madrid is reportedly worth €15 million ($16 million) per year across 5 seasons and includes a €150 million ($161 million) signing on bonus as well as a percentage of his image rights. While being a massive payload it’s still a pay cut from what he was earning in France, which was reportedly a base salary of €75 million per year, a €150 million signing bonus and a yearly ‘loyalty’ bonus of €70 million that would have increased to €90 million if he triggered his third year option.

Kylian Mbappé is generationally talented, lightning fast, incredible with his feet and absolutely unstoppable when in on goal. There’s no doubt his role will come naturally as Ancelotti returns to a 4-3-3 formation next season.

Defensive Depth Difficulties

Another strength for Madrid (they have no weaknesses), is their defensive capabilities despite being oftentimes left undermanned while recovering in transition. Real have deployed incredible centre back duos for most of the century and that hasn’t changed with this group. The star-studded trio of Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger are supported by Nacho Fernandez, currently making up the ridiculous rotation in front of arguably the best keeper in the world Thibaut Courtois.

Unfortunately the Los Blancos defensive group have been complete and utterly ravaged by injuries. Cruciate ligament injuries to Courtois, Militao and Alaba, along with muscular problems for Rüdiger and Nacho left Ancelotti without a single centre-back to choose from between February 5th and 12th. Forcing him to use Tchouaméni and right back Dani Carvajal as the back pair. Thankfully Madrid managed a massive 4-0 win in that timeframe against Girona, who sat and remain 2nd in the La Liga table behind Real.

Since Nacho’s return they’ve been able to deploy him alongside Tchouaméni, who seemingly more than makes up for the attributes of an everyday CB. Despite the positive results, the strain on the club has opted Ancelotti to intensify his pursuit of support for the rehabilitating unit. While the central defenders are injured, there’s still absolute top quality in the squad and their return to form is something Madridistas anticipate eagerly.

Real Madrid Market Values and Rankings by Position (+Mbappé)

Right Wing

Striker

Left Wing

Midfield

Centre Back

Left Back

Right Back

Goalkeeper

Wing Back Needs and Replacements

Though not severely underperforming, the glaring weakness in the Madrid squad is with their wing-backs. Madrid offer a top player at every position on the pitch when fully healthy, besides the right and left backs. Right back Dani Carvajal is inevitable in big moments and despite his few shortcomings has intertwined himself with both the Real attack and defence seamlessly for almost 11 years now. Legend. Carvajal is supported by reliable backup Lucas Vázquez, who is the same age of 32 as his right back teammate, and has been with the club since 2015. Rounding out an incredibly tenured tandem.

Ferland Mendy on the other hand, or wing, not quite as much. The left back position has been their achilles heal for some time now, and while insulting Ferland Mendy’s abilities would be asinine, it has been a discussion for some time that Madrid have needed a starting replacement at left back. And those mumblings have intensified to a boiling point as the squad has strengthened and renewed their core with youngsters donning mind blowing quality, the gap between the abilities of the squad and their left back depth has increased substantially. So then the question is, who’s available? And who’s worthy of not only replacing Mendy, but maintaining and improving their incredibly talented group.

There are 28 left backs graded with a higher market value than Mendy, and in typical Madrid fashion, they have been, and are going for the highest. Alphonso Davies is not only currently the most valuable left back in the world according to Transfermarkt, but the most valuable wing back and the 5th most valuable defender. He’s also the best Canadian footballer ever, hands down, at just 23 years of age. In 2022 he led Canada to its second World Cup appearance and their first since 1986.

Real Madrid’s Absolutely Ludicrous Potential Future XI:

^{Via Chosen 11}

Becoming the Most Valuable Club in the World

Most Valuable Squads in Club Football Pre Mbappé, Davies Tranfers

Most Valuable Squads in Club Football Post Mbappé, Davies Tranfers

Most Valuable International Squads

Most Valuable Squads Including Club and International Pre Mbappé, Davies Tranfers

Most Valuable Squads Including Club and International Post Mbappé, Davies Tranfers