Jude Bellingham slipped in Vinicius Jr to attain and Actual Madrid’s key ahead pair had finished it. A Champions League trophy delivered and not using a recognised, world-class No 9 within the group.
All of the discuss earlier than, throughout and after Saturday’s win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley surrounded how Carlo Ancelotti has masterminded one other Actual success having misplaced Karim Benzema final summer season to Saudi Arabia. Now the discuss is about how one other French ahead can take them to a different degree.
Kylian Mbappe will arrive at Actual Madrid having snubbed the Spanish giants thrice. As soon as after a trial with Actual’s U12 group, then twice to favour PSG in 2017 and 2022. Now he’ll arrive on the Bernabeu when his new aspect want him most.
“The only thing we’re missing is that clinical nine,” mentioned Bellingham after Saturday’s Champions League remaining.
“If he was to come and give us that, we would be in a really great place to go and take us to another level. One of the best players in the world!”
Actual will now have their world-class No 9 – arguably top-of-the-line on the market. The issue is, what occurs to gamers like Vinicius and Bellingham following their heroics not simply at Wembley, however all by way of the season?
Ancelotti reacted to the lack of Benzema by indirectly changing him, as an alternative adopting a 4-3-1-2 formation, utilizing Vinicius and Rodrygo as ‘break up forwards’ who undertake large areas – permitting new signing Bellingham to enterprise in a free function behind them on the tip of a midfield diamond.
It’s a entrance three that won’t be damaged up by way of switch gross sales. Vinicius and Bellingham – with 24 and 23 objectives respectively this season – had been the 2 most necessary gamers for Actual this season. Rodrygo, regardless of rumours linking him with a transfer, has vowed to remain within the Spanish capital subsequent season.
However Mbappe is now set to be the jewel in Actual’s shining crown, following his 256 objectives in 308 video games within the French capital. But how does PSG’s previous No 7 change into Actual Madrid’s principal man, and never take something away from present Actual No 7 Vinicius, who’s arguably top-of-the-line gamers on the planet?
A difficulty might come up given Mbappe and Vinicius each performed in the identical place this season – and the Brazilian is just not going to budge.
“Vinicius has really made the left-hand side his. That is his best position,” Spanish soccer journalist Semra Hunter informed Sky Sports activities Information.
Mbappe and Vinicius’ heatmap within the Champions League this season
“Let’s work under the premise that Ancelotti is going to stick with a 4-4-2 next season, with Jude Bellingham at the top of the midfield diamond.
“Meaning Vinicius and Mbappe can begin in a two-pronged assault, like what Vinicius and Rodrygo have been doing this season.”
Replacing Rodrygo will not be an easy decision for Ancelotti, given the Brazilian forward’s key role in Real’s recent Champions League successes.
The Italian manager would be omitting the player who scored in both legs of this season’s quarter-final victory over Manchester City, one that all but made the Champions League Real’s to lose. And will Mbappe even accept Rodrygo’s current role as ‘right forward’ to accommodate Vinicius?
There is the argument that Rodrygo barely plays on the right wing, despite being the ‘right forward’. Two seasons ago, Ancelotti said the 23-year-old has “a lot potential as a centre ahead or a second striker”, implying his role in Real’s 4-3-1-2 is as central as it looks – making it perfect for Mbappe, who always preferred the No 9 role to a wide one at PSG.
Or could all four – Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham – play together in an ultra-attacking Ancelotti plan? He adopted a 4-3-3 formation at Real Madrid for years before Benzema’s departure, so it would not be an alien move.
“Rodrygo is extra tactically versatile – he can play on the precise, left or as a No 10,” added Hunter.
“He might play 4-3-3, with Mbappe within the center and Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings. However which means he must sacrifice a midfielder and they’re so stacked in that space. I do not see that occuring too typically.”
Mbappe is just not the one new arrival at Actual this summer season, with Brazilian starlet Endrick additionally placing one other dazzling choice among the many ranks. Given the 17-year-old’s heroics up to now for membership and nation, don’t be stunned if he has one thing to say on this debate.
However the teenager will develop in his personal time whereas the world watches Mbappe. He’s the person Actual Madrid are bringing in to dominate Europe.
And if they’re profitable Champions League titles with out him, what are the Spanish giants going to realize with him?
