When the summer transfer window closed, Real madrid had sold Xabi Alonso & Angel Di maria, two of their main players last season, we knew there would be trouble. Di maria's loss was seen as the biggest at the time by many, but anyone who watches Madrid knows the team isn't the same without Alonso, they'll tell you, he is the biggest loss, arguably the 2nd most important player in the squad. We saw that in the champions league final, we saw that while Alonso was injured earlier on last season. Ancelloti was looking for the "balance", the balance came when Alonso returned from injury.
In the Real madrid squad there are many players who can play in the holding midfield position and also a few who can play the deep lying role. Here we take a look at a number of candidates.
For pure defencive midfielders, there's only Sami Khedira and his presence will add a balance to the squad undoubtedly, but he doesn't have the passing range of Alonso.
Fabio Coentrao is another one who can play as a defencive midfielder. He doesn't have the passing range, but his defensive game makes him good for the defensive midfield role. He performed that as cover for Sami Khedira at the beginning of the 11/12 season. Coentrao can play in the role vacated by Di maria and let Kroos takeover the deep-lying role. This would bring greater balance than with him as a defencive midfielder
With the last example given, Gareth Bale, could replace Coentrao as the other midfielder with Kroos as the deep-lying player. Bale is no longer the "new toy" and can be moved there. With his defensive history, attacking present & rip roaring pace (remember Batra), he could be more devastating than Di maria.
Although this may seem like banter, using Pepe as a defensive midfielder, isn't too much of a bad idea. When calm (a rarity), he can be Claude Makelele. He played there for Portugal before Carvalho's international retirement and played there under Mourinho in 2011 during the Clasico series. He did a good job in those matches and it should be noted that Messi was kept quiet for the first 2 games & could only have an effect after Pepe had been sent off (unfairly). Pepe has this fear factor about him & that could be very useful against opponents.
For deep-lying players, Raphael Varane is a name that has been mentioned by the spanish press. You can see why easily. He has lots of pace for a tall lad, his height would help win aerial duel's in midfield & at set pieces. He has the passing range and the defencive steel. With this, Ancelloti could replace Alonso and stop the discontent growing about the lack of game time Varane gets.
Sergio Ramos is another candidate for that position. He has the defencive steel and the passing range (he completed most passes for Real in the 12/13 season after Alonso) but its highly unlikely Ancelloti would try him in that role especially after the clasico disaster at the camp nou last season.
Toni Kroos is another who can play the deep-lying role. The German was arguably the best midfielder at the world cup. For me the 2nd best player after James. He averaged a pass completion rate of 89% in the entire tournament. Ancelloti has used him in that "deep-lying" role but it hasn't quite worked out and although his best performances have come in an advanced role or a 3-man midfield that doesn't make him a holding or deep lying player (Germany at the world cup), I personally feel he can perform that role with time. He has the passing range for it, but just needs to add defensive stiffness to his game. He has that a little bit, an example was when he dispossessed Fernandinho and immediately assisted Robben at the Etihad against Man city.
Asier Illaramendi was the one bought to replace Xabi Alonso. He was bought for €39m last year. The plan was for "Illara" to learn under Xabi for 2-3 years. With Xabi gone, it means he had 1 season as apprentice to his fellow basque. Ancelloti doesn't have faith in him & its easy to see why. Illara always looked too nervous last season and didn't take control of things when given the opportunity. You can understand the nervousness too. A local Basque boy who had never been away from home coming to the biggest club in the world can never be easy, but he has to step up now. The talent is definitely there, I watched him at Euro u-23 last year & remember calling him an "Alonso-Busquets" hybrid. He has the defencive edge of busquets that Alonso lacks a bit, and also has the passing range of Alonso that Busquets lacks.
When it comes down to who plays and who doesn't, the final decision lies with Carlo. I however would say Ramos as a deep-lying play maker is good, but it would be waste of his centre back qualities, where he has arguably been the best based on form this calender year. Varane as a deep-lying play maker is something I'm salivating over. He reminds me of Madrid legend & assistant coach, Fernando Hierro who played as a defender and deep-lying player. He would be brilliant there. Also Gareth Bale as one of the other midfielders would be great or even better than what we saw last season. It also brings about continuity of the type of 4-3-3 employed, Di maria was converted from winger to centre midfielder, why can't Bale? Illaramendi should however been given a run of games to show his undeniable talent & to prove himself. I criticised him last season, but I can't forget his brilliance of 12/13 season, and that summer's u-23 Euro's.
Alonso left Madrid in a bad spot, by leaving so late in the transfer window. Some have theories that he wanted to weaken us, to win with Bayern. Some say Perez should have stopped him. I believe both are wrong. Alonso is too much of a gentleman to do the former, and you can't keep an unhappy player who "lacks motivation" to remain at the biggest club, it isn't worth it, hence my defence for Perez. However, we have a great manager with experience and just like last season, we will get pass this rocky start and win again.
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