A leader of men?
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New horizons are upon us as this season draws to a close. Every passing hour seems to carry more unanswered questions than minutes. The fate of the current crop of Real Madrid players hangs in the balance.. A new manager. A new direction.
What dreams may come..
Anatomy Of A Squad
The Spine
Courtois
The phenomenal shotstopper is often under appreciated. Fans have become so spoiled that anything less than his 2022 Champions League final performance and they start to think there’s better GKs out there.
Rudiger and Militao
The dou have only had one season together, marred with injury, and yet culminated in a Champions League and La Liga double. Militao missed much of that season through injury but, he made it back in time for the Champions League final.
The defence is falling apart. Militao’s second ACL injury and Alaba’s career threatening injury, Carvajal’s ACL injury and Mendy’s glass frame. Raul Asencio is probably the most reliable CB in terms of fitness and availability right now. While the club invested smartly in recent years, there’s a lot to do to get a stable CB pairing for the long term. It may yet be Militao and Rudiger.
The Engine/Brain
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham has a bit of a throwback personality. It is quite refreshing. A player who loves a scrap yet so elegant on the ball. A 6’2″ marauding midfielder who turns away gracefully from his marker before finding a teammate. A tenacious tackler with the timing and finesse of a prolific centre-forward. I’m describing a unicorn.. A permanent link between offence and defence.
The Head/Attack
Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé is a forward who arrives once in a generation. His numbers may be talked about but you really have to watch him closely.. If you blink he’s got his in with a shot. In full flight, he seems as if he’s feet hardly touch the ground. Weightless. Lethal with both feet and the quite unnatural affliction which often plagued the Frenchman who wore the #9 before him.. Picture Perfect Finishes.
The Leader of Men?
Jude Bellingham is cursed with youth. The Englishman for all his flaws is a captain at heart.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them..”
I judged him too harshly as too hungry for the spotlight. The reality is at that level there’s no leadership while hiding from the spotlight. Not at Real Madrid and certainly not at the three lions.
Jude does not yet have the clout to move the dressing room, particularly one the size of Real Madrid. He will in due time but he must be well-placed to do so. In midfield, between attack and defence.
The Daily Poll
Poll 1
Poll 2
