4 players who should leave Real Madrid to progress in their careers 

Real Madrid is undoubtedly one of the best clubs in the world, only if not the best - and their recent trophy-laden seasons are just a testament to that claim. The club has won three consecutive Champions League titles under Zinedine Zidane, four in the last five years.

In such a team, there is bound to be cut-throat competition for who gets a chance in the starting XI and who is left out in the cold to warm the bench. This intense competition was escalated further during Zidane's tenure owing to the Frenchman's modus operandi which did not allow him to make unnecessary changes in the squad as he fancied sticking to a few players, a strategy that placed him in the firing line time and again.

Consequently, there are some players in Los Blancos who, in the face of their undeniable potential, did not procure enough game time.

Now even though it can be argued that Zidane has bid adieu to the Spanish giants and Julen Lopetegui, Real Madrid's new manager, will make alterations in the squad, the Spaniard is still expected to carry on with the title-winning ways of his predecessor and not alter the roster needlessly.

In consequence, the players listed below will be better off leaving Real Madrid and moving to a new club, where they will be able to properly showcase their talent.

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#4 Borja Mayoral

Real Madrid v Leganes - La Liga

Post the exits of Alvaro Morata and Mariano Diaz, Borja Mayoral was expected to lead the line for Real Madrid. All the same, he never came to the fore with Karim Benzema hogging the center-forward berth in a star-studded attacking unit.

Mayoral has garnered plaudits from many football pundits and has also merchandised himself as one of the most promising young strikers in modern football. When he arrived at Real Madrid, several experts billed him as Raul's successor and whilst the assertion is patently overstated, it just goes on to evince the 21-year-old's flair.

During the 2017-18 season, Mayoral was only seen on the pitch for 336 minutes in La Liga. The dearth of opportunities could be one of the determining factors in his future at the club.

#3 Mateo Kovačić

2018 FIFA World Cup group stage: Croatia 2 - 0 Nigeria

Despite producing back-to-back sensational performances, Kovacic has failed to cement his position in the Real Madrid squad.

The former Inter Milan star only played a total of 988 minutes in La Liga in the 2017-18 season, which is why his inclusion on this list is totally justifiable.

Kovacic is a versatile midfielder who can play at his best both as an attacking midfielder or as a deep-lying playmaker, a quality that has made him a hot property in the ongoing transfer window.

#2 Gareth Bale

Real Madrid v Levante - La Liga

Gareth Bale made a buzzworthy move to the Spanish capital for an eye-watering fee of £90.9 million in 2013, which made him the most expensive transfer of all-time back then.

However, his proneness to injury has significantly marred his Real Madrid career as he saw himself fall down the pecking order under Zidane with his position being appropriated by the highly-rated duo of Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio.

The Welshman himself commented on the situation after inspiring Real Madrid to their 13th Champions League trophy.

"Obviously I need to play.

"That hasn’t happened this season for one reason or another.

"I was injured for five or six games and I’ve been fit ever since.

"I’ll have to sit down in the summer, discuss it with my agent and take it from there."

The 28-year-old underwent an injury-stricken season of late due to which he found game time under the French manager hard to come by.

Bale is one of the most in-demand forwards and could imminently make a switch back to Premier League.

#1 Dani Ceballos

Dani Ceballos Presentation at Bernabeu Stadium

Perhaps the most predictable entry on the list, Dani Ceballos was bought by Real Madrid from Real Betis last summer after a fierce competition with their arch-rivals, FC Barcelona, who were also in close pursuit of the Spaniard.

Although the 21-year-old generated headlines with his decision, he will now rue it for his entire life. In the last season, Ceballos only managed 396 minutes in La Liga, which is quite damaging for a person of his aptitude.

After all, he had to compete with the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco, Casemiro, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and even Mateo Kovacic to thrust himself into the reckoning.

Ceballos is expected to make a move away from Spanish capital this transfer window with high-profile clubs endeavouring to secure his signature.