Real Madrid significantly bolstered their squad during the summer transfer window; securing star players, promising young talents, as well as seasoned veterans to replace departing players.
Perhaps the signing of the summer was Jude Bellingham. At just 20 years old, he has attracted global attention and is already being hailed as one of the world’s best players. Acquiring him for a mere €100 million has been deemed a steal by Real Madrid fans, especially when compared to high-profile transfers that failed to deliver, like Eden Hazard’s move to the club.
Following a strong pre-season showing, fans couldn’t wait to witness the full squad in action and have had high hopes for the upcoming season. However, a series of injuries to key players, including Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao who are out for the season, along with another injury to Vinicius Junior, fans immediately lowered all hopes for any major success this season especially when the arrival of Kylian Mbappe failed to materialize.
Bellingham, however, had different plans. Bellingham has produced numbers so far in the season that were not seen by any other player in Real Madrid history except by one man…Cristiano Ronaldo. Bellingham scored in his first four official matches, each time delivering crucial game winning goals. In 5 Matches, Bellingham has a record of 5 goals and 1 assist.
Bellingham’s exceptional performance has already earned him the admiration of his teammates, who are astonished by how a player so young can become the team’s star at the biggest club in the world. Bellingham now holds a record of an astonishing 10 goals and three assists in 10 matches for Real Madrid so far this season, equaling Ronaldo, the greatest scorer in Real Madrid’s history.
Another major signing has been the repurchase of Fran Garcia. The 24-year-old left-back has had a breakout season with Rayo Vallecano and as a result Real Madrid have brought him back and has become a starter following an injury to Ferlan Mendy.
Garcia epitomizes the attacking style which Real Madrid’s left-backs have always been known for and has provided multiple threats to Madrid’s attack on the left flank. Garcia assisted both goals in Madrid’s 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad after falling behind early in the match. Garcia’s presence on the left side has been crucial especially when Vinicius was injured and greatly missed on the left wing. Even with Vinicius’ return and still being out of form, Garcia’s threats will help ease the load from Vinicius regarding the left flank.
Following Courtois’ season-ending injury, Real Madrid swiftly secured Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a one-year loan deal. Although Kepa has played a few matches so far, he has been performing well in a new team and the signing has also raised the performance levels of Andriy Lunin, the backup goalkeeper. It is unclear how the rotation between goalkeepers will go but as of now both goalkeepers have been performing at high levels with multiple crucial stops each game.
An intriguing signing was the return of Joselu. The 33-year-old has played for many different clubs in different countries. Joselu arrived as a temporary replacement for Karim Benzema, who departed for Saudi Arabia in the summer, until the impending arrival of Mbappe. Joselu provides something no one else in the team does; aerial threat. Joselu scored a couple of goals as well as an assist in his first five matches which has exceeded expectations with the current status and injuries of the players.
Joselu also scored the winning goal in Madrid’s match against Real Sociedad. He continued the same form until the international break holding five goals and two assists to his name in nine league appearances, all of which are crucial goals and assists to win three points. Fans have even called for him to start ahead of his teammate Rodrygo Goes, who has had a slow start in this season, not scoring or assisting except once in the whole season.
The final signing and the dark horse of this transfer window is Arda Guler. At just 18 years old, Guler has been dubbed by fans and players as “The Next Ozil” and has received high praise from even Mesut Ozil himself. For only €20 million, a player of this age being bought for such a price is no longer a thing.
The 18-year-old has had a breakout season in his home country Turkey in Fenerbahce. Guler has displayed tremendous skill in pre-season training with Real Madrid against elite defenders. Unfortunately, Guler suffered a knee injury before the start of the season and fans needed to wait a bit more to witness what he can do, which then became an even longer wait after he suffered yet another knee complication and had to wait out until after the international break.
Every one of Real Madrid’s summer signings who have taken to the field has excelled, making a strong case for the club having the most successful transfer window globally. Even as Chelsea struggles despite making numerous signings, as well as other players not performing up to expectations, Real Madrid’s new recruits have shone brightly, a testament to the club’s leadership under Florentino Perez, one of the best, presidents in world football.
Real Madrid currently sits on top of the La Liga table and their Champions League group. With Vinicius Jr. regaining his form and the inevitable arrival of Kylian Mbappe, the future looks promising for the club.
Edited by: Sri Soudamini Konka
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