Zinedine Zidane guided Real Madrid to the 2019-20 La Liga title earlier this month in his first full season back at the Spanish giants.
The French manager had an aging squad to play with but managed to blood a number of younger players, including Federico Valverde, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Luka Jovic.
Next season could see further youngsters given a chance in the first team, with Martin Odegaard and Takefusa Kubo returning from loan spells in La Liga this past season.
So far the club have yet to announce any new signings but somewhat surprisingly sold Achraf Hakimi in a €40 million deal for Internazionale. The 21-year-old had looked very impressive in his two-year loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Zidane may simply be happy with Dani Carvajal and the returning Alvaro Odriozola as his options at right-back next season.
Five other players in the first team squad that I wouldn’t be surprised to see leave the Bernabeu this summer are:
James Rodríguez
Following a two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich that saw the German champions pass on the opportunity to make the deal permanent, James Rodriguez returned to Real Madrid at the start of this past season.
The Colombian made just eight La Liga appearances (5 starts) with only one of those coming after the restart. He was originally sent on loan to the Bavarians during Zidane’s first spell in charge of the club, so don’t be surprised to see him leave Madrid this summer.
Gareth Bale
Probably the most difficult player to get off their books is Gareth Bale. The Welsh winger made just two appearances following the restart and has a huge wage that will be difficult for any club to match.
Still under contract for another two years, reports have previously suggested that the former Tottenham Hotspur star may just sit out his contract in the Spanish capital.
Mariano
It was a surprise when Real Madrid spent €23 million to bring Mariano Diaz back to the club after a single season at Lyon. The one-time Dominican Republic international made just five substitute appearances in La Liga totalling 42 minutes this past season.
With Karim Benzema showing his class up front and Luka Jovic waiting to breakthrough, Mariano’s days at Madrid look numbered and the club could look to offload him before the start of their 2020-21 campaign.
Sergio Reguilon
Off the back of an impressive loan spell at Sevilla could make for a perfect summer for Real Madrid to cash in on Sergio Reguilon. They already have Ferland Mendy and Marcelo controlling the spots at left-back so his future at the club looks bleak as it is.
The 23-year-old would likely be welcome back at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for next season too.
Borja Mayoral
Perhaps not a household name, but Borja Mayoral did make 14 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid in 2017-18. That was after a loan spell at VfL Wolfsburg. He has since spent the past two seasons on loan at Levante.
The 23-year-old scored eight goals in 34 La Liga matches (24 starts) this past season and his workrate may have earned him a stay in the Spanish top flight, just not at Real Madrid. Don’t be surprised if they look to cash in on the striker this summer.
Think you know Spanish football? Play https://liga-fantasy.com now!
To leave a comment, you must be logged into www.eurofantasyleague.com