Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images
Real Madrid are portraying a nonchalant image after being rejected by Manchester City’s Rodri who has opted to sign for Barcelona.
There is, however, no denying that the World Cup winner would have been the perfect solution to all of the club’s midfield troubles and that the department remains with a void even now.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde continue to be options in midfield, but the team can definitely do with some ball-control and creativity – something Jose Mourinho will look to find alternatives for.
As reported by AS, going to the transfer market for a new signing is not Real Madrid’s top option as matters stand.
They are, however, alert to opportunities that may arise. Three players, on that front, are on Los Blancos’ radar.
Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace
Wharton has been on Real Madrid’s radar for long. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
The first is Adam Wharton, Crystal Palace’s midfielder who was linked heavily to Real Madrid earlier this summer.
His price tag, however, has always been an issue and will be a bigger one now given how much Real Madrid have already spent.
Kees Smit is another player who the club have eyed for a reasonably long time and continues to monitor. The youngster, however, is not as tried and tested as more experienced options.
Finally, Ayyoub Bouaddi is the third player Real Madrid are following, although the World Cup breakout star is close to signing for Manchester City this summer.
Bernardo Silva of Real Madrid
Bernardo Silva is Mourinho’s backup plan. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
As reported earlier this week, Jose Mourinho has full faith in the squad currently at his disposal and feels he can fill the midfield void with existing options.
On that front, he sees Bernardo Silva as a candidate to play in deep midfield, as part of the double pivot.
Throughout his career, Silva has made a name for himself playing as an attacking midfielder and a winger, and for him to shift to a pivot role may well be asking too much of the new signing.
Should the idea work, however, Real Madrid will indeed have no regrets over missing out on Rodri.
Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid
Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website
Despite seeming to be on his way to Real Madrid, Manchester City midfield general Rodri has chosen FC Barcelona.
After around ten days of meetings, discussions and direct conversations with the player, Real Madrid accepted his choice without drama.
Rodri informed the club of his decision earlier this week and, from that moment on, Real Madrid reverted to the original plan drawn up with Jose Mourinho.
At the heart of that plan is one player in particular: Bernardo Silva, reports Jose Felix Diaz of AS.
Although naturally an attacking midfielder or right-sided playmaker, Mourinho believes Bernardo Silva has the qualities to operate in a deeper midfield role.
The Portuguese international combines defensive work rate with excellent vision and composure in possession, qualities he has demonstrated on several occasions throughout his career.
Bernardo Silva of Real Madrid
Central to Mourinho’s plans. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
While he is not a specialist holding midfielder, Mourinho is convinced he can help shape Real Madrid’s build-up play alongside Aurelien Tchouameni.
Rodri’s decision to prioritise Barcelona forced Real Madrid to rethink their strategy.
Rather than immediately searching for another marquee signing, the Merengues now believe Bernardo’s arrival provides enough depth and quality in central midfield, at least compared to last season.
That does not mean the transfer market is completely closed.
With more than three weeks remaining before the window shuts, Real Madrid will continue monitoring potential opportunities.
However, the idea of Bernardo operating from a deeper position was already under discussion before pre-season even began, making Rodri’s rejection less disruptive than it might otherwise have been.
Rodri of Spain
Rodri has decided to join Barcelona. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Within the club there is also an acknowledgement that there is no player quite like Rodri on the market.
If another midfielder is signed, it would likely be someone capable of organising play in a different way rather than a direct replacement.
For the time being, though, Bernardo is expected to become Mourinho’s solution in midfield.
The Portuguese believes the former Manchester City star has the intelligence, technical quality and tactical discipline to help orchestrate Real Madrid’s build-up play from deeper areas.
As such, he is expected to form the foundation of the team’s midfield alongside Tchouaméni while the club continues to keep an eye on the market.