Human beings are weaved out of an absurd cloth. We tend to care for people who don’t reciprocate the same for us. The opposite is also true. However, once we lose something, we begin to realise its true value.
Brian Clough knew this perfectly. After splitting up with his long-time assistant, Peter Taylor, his managerial career took a severe downslide from which there was no coming back. And now, Real Madrid fans face the same phase of epiphany with Carlos Henrique, aka Casemiro.
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Casemiro’s absence is hurting Real Madrid
For some Real Madrid fans, Casemiro is a liability; with some going as far as labeling him as ‘Cancermiro’. The reason for this is simple: he is not as technically gifted as his peers and Madridistas are perhaps the most spoiled bunch of fans given that they are accustomed to watching flashy players all over the pitch.
However, ever since Casemiro got injured, Real Madrid have failed to win any of their games. If there was ever a telling testament on his importance, it is this. In Real’s last three games, despite not losing them either, their midfield looked easily penetrable.
What was even worse is that Luka Modric doesn’t seem fully comfortable without Casemiro behind him. The Croat has been shaky when paired with the more illustrious Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez.
The lack of activity in the transfer market meant that Los Blancos didn’t sign an adequate replacement for Casemiro. Hence, they now find themselves in a conundrum. Replace the Brazilian with Isco, James, Asensio or even Kovacic, and the midfield lacks bite and becomes open to getting overrun often.
Right now, Los Galacticos have no other option other than looking within the house. The aforementioned players may be able to operate nicely against weaker midfields but against the physically imposing ones, Zidane must look towards someone else.
Or, rather, Raphael Varane or Danilo.
Why Danilo in midfield makes sense
This might not make sense when one thinks about it at first. However, after a while, when the names have sunk in, it starts to look fathomable.
Both Raphael Varane and Danilo have played in midfield during their time in RC Lens and Santos, respectively. In fact, according to some, Danilo could actually be a better player in midfield than on the wings.
And the Brazilian’s skillset does make that claim look valid. In terms of defending, he has shown some commendable ability of late while also making frequent runs in attack. However, the thing that stands out about him the most is his discipline.
He doesn’t mindlessly venture forward whenever he wishes to. Rather, he chooses the best possible time and carefully moves across the pitch to help out in attack.
During his time at Porto, the Brazilian full-back was famous for cutting in from the right and scoring. This ability is a blessing when playing in midfield because he can make that sudden, unmarked run in a tiny pocket of space and do maximum damage.
However, the cons with him in midfield is his lack of passing forte. But given that the others do an exquisite job at that, it is a redundant disadvantage.
Why Varane in midfield makes sense
With Raphael Varane in midfield, Real Madrid could actually discover their new Xabi Alonso to some extent. The Frenchman has a wonderful passing range and isn’t afraid to do the audacious, something which actually led to Madrid conceding against Villarreal.
Being in the last line of defense means that Varane will always be susceptible to making errors like these while trying audacious moves like the roulette he attempted against the Yellow Submarine. However, if he does that in midfield and fails, there is a line of defense behind him to clear up the mess.
At his best, Varane is perhaps the best defender in the world. However, right now, he is far from the player that he was 2-3 years ago. Playing in midfield will give him more freedom and he can rediscover his brilliance.
Also read: Real Madrid paying the price for not signing a holding midfielder
If he plays in midfield, teams will find it very difficult to overcome Madrid. For one, his positional awareness is top class and, hence, we won’t be seeing many players trick him out of his position. Secondly, if on the off chance that someone does drag him out, he has some serious burning pace to make up for it.
Finally, the aforementioned passing range. Varane is a very good passer of the ball, especially when playing it long. Time and again he has wowed the Madridista community with some beautiful aerial passes. He is certainly better at passing than the two Brazilians, Danilo and Casemiro.
Varane’s scoring sense might not be as good as Danilo’s, but as a holding midfielder, scoring doesn’t really matter. Nevertheless, the underlying point here is that replacing Casemiro with a creative player is like putting tape on an open and deep wound—it will keep bleeding.
With Pepe and Coentrao (another player who has played in midfield) returning to full fitness, Varane could be deployed further forward in midfield. Danilo, too, could fill in for his compatriot.
Who knows, Varane or Danilo might as well go on to do better than Casemiro. Though, only time can reveal that. What can be said certainly is that the legendary French figure should give it a shot with one of these two in midfield rather than James Rodriguez or Isco.
Also read: 5 players who need to leave Real Madrid to progress
