Danilo left for City because he can play left back,right back and in the middlefield. Pep said he bought him for his versatility and Danilo said he can play those positions. He'll have the chance to play at 3 positions in City. Way better than only RB in RM.
Few thoughts... - Last year's squad was deep, it worked out fantastically last season, I don't think it's sustainable. Players like Isco, Kovacic and Asensio will want more important roles/mins next season. Then you also have Ceballos and Llorente. Not quite sure how that will be possible honestly... unless... - Zidane is planning on switching to a 4-3-1-2. Just looking at our roster, I think this makes perfect sense: 8 midfielders for 4 positions with any two of Ronado, Bale, Benzema starting upfront. - Re: Mbappe, I like him, I really do but man, I just cannot see how he'd get enough playing time here. The only way this would make sense (sort of) is if we are sticking to the 4-3-3, or one of the BBC is sold. Then we'll have one midfielder too many and I suspect we'll see someone sold/loaned out before the end of window. As it stands, I think it would make more sense to try and reach an agreement that will guarantee Mbappe moves here at the end of next season, sign a stop-gap back up for now. - With Danilo leaving, would be interesting to see if we go for a replacement, and if so, a CB or a RB? A Theo-Vallejo-Nacho-Hakimi/Tejero/Vazquez back four doesn't fill me with confidence. Would be interesting to see how this all plays out and what Zizou has in mind.
Do we have danilo replacement ?or pickup random player to sell for raising funds for Mbappa ? Last year we out performed barca because we had depth in squad but now we a striker and carvajal replacement ..only good signing is theo and rest no wroth beening in squad ( replacement of james and pepe is not properly addressed)
We got Ceballos in to cover James role and Vallejo in to cover for Pepe. If you're going to complain about shit at least have the due diligence to spend 5 minutes on google looking up our transfers before doing so.
We were the ones who couldn't wait. Despite being a club legend when you have the chance to break even on someone like Danilo you take it immediately and without thinking twice.
Asensio has grown immensely in the 2nd half of the season. He can get all the James minutes and still probably won't be more than 50-60% of total playing time. We don't need a James replacement. Only a striker is needed. Mbappe will get enough minutes If ZZ gives Benz the minutes he deserves. And in big games, choose the inform player. Lucas unlikely to get 1350+ minutes he got in La Liga last season as a winger. Probably why ZZ looking to give him a chance as back up RB. Midfield is stacked, but Casemiro finally has a proper back up in Llorente now. We missed that against Barca and Atletico in CL tie when we had to take him off. Game especially opened up against Atletico when he was taken off.
Honestly, amazing piece of business that we broke even on the deal. I like Danilo as he came off a likeable guy but just couldn't handle playing here. Best of luck to him at City.
It's not ideal but it could work especially with the amount of crossing we do. Ronaldo and Bale would surely bury a few headers. Of course that would mean Benzema has to hit the bench, which won't happen. As long as BBC are healthy expect to see the 433
I could be wrong but I also expect to see 4-3-3 once BBC is healthy, which IMO is not the best most balanced team we have
Updating for Danilo Players In - Total €88.5m (€21.5m of the total to be paid later): Dani Ceballos €16.5m from Real Betis (€10m now, €6.5m in 6 months) Theo Hernandez €26m from Atletico Madrid Vinicius Jr €45m from Flamengo (Brasil) / Loaned back until 2019/2020 (€30m now, €15m when he joins Real Madrid) Marcos Llorente (Loan Ended) Jesus Vallejo (Loan Ended) Borja Mayoral (Loan Ended) Augusto Galvan from Sao Paulo €1m + €2m in variables Diego Llorente (Loan Ended) Burgui (Loan Ended) Players Out - Total €143.5m: Danilo to Man City €30m (+€5m in variables) Alvaro Morata to Chelsea €80m - Subject to confirmation James Rodriguez to Bayern Munich €15m loan per year for two years (100% of the €16.2m wages + option to purchase for €35.2m at the end of the two years.) Pepe Free Transfer to Besiktas Fabio Coentrao to Sporting Lisbon (Loan) Mariano to Lyon €8m - Buy Back does not exist in France, though I assume a gentleman's agreement was reached. Mario Hermoso to Espanyol Free (50% rights held by Real Madrid) Aleix Febas to Real Zaragoza (Loan) Alvaro Jiminez to Getafe €1m Burgui to Alaves for €3m - With Buy-Back Option Philipp Lienhart to SC Freiburg €500k Fee (Loan) Federico Valverde to Deportivo La Coruna (Loan) Cristian Cedres Free Transfer to Villarreal B Enzo Zidane Undisclosed Fee with Buy-Back to Alaves Diego Llorente to Real Sociedad €6m - Buy Back €15m Lucas Torro Free Transfer to Osasuna Overall Total Spend: Minus €55m In reality with the later payments we have €75m in the kitty, we should be able to spend €150m from here to meet our allowed budgets. €100m-€120m on Mbappe €30m-€50m on a CB or RB
I think we all agree at this point 442 is the way to go. It comes down to Isco or Bale. It wouldn't surprise me if this was part of the hold up for Isco's renewal.
It's obvious that we have a lot of money to spend considering that we're in the plus from all these sales. Plus we have the budget of this year. Last year we were also in the plus of 7 ~ M. Also freed up a HUGE chunk of wages. We could get Mbappe for 120-30 M and still have a nice financial situation. Simply giving him James wages and we would still have a lighter wage structure than last year.
Interesting point although most of our attack comes from the fullbacks and I can see why we do it, it's a strong point of our game.
I don't see the need to replace Danilo. In the situation where Carvajal and both of our top 2 center backs are injured (highly unlikely), we can just put Casemiro at CB and start Llorente in the midfield. Nacho at RB and Vallejo at CB
Did we ever confirm whether that report about us cutting ties with Febas was true or if it's really just a loan?
I am over the moon about the price we got for Danilo. Excellent piece of business for a player we didn't want anymore. He's a good guy and I wish him well but Madrid isn't the right place for him. Amazing that we didn't lose anything on him.
It is a strong point because the opposition can't handle multiple players proving width and overlapping wingers, if we put all of the ownes on the full backs to provide the width and crosses, as well as expect them to defend, I think we're putting too much strain on our system. I could be wrong, but I don't think flooded the centre of midfield is the answer.