La Liga 2018/19: How Real Madrid might line up this season

This pre-season is probably the most important pre-season in Real Madrid's history. They started the offseason without a coach and have lost their star man, Cristiano Ronaldo, at the beginning of the pre-season. Although Zinedine Zidane has been replaced by the former Spain coach, Julen Lopetegui, it still remains to be seen who replaces their no.7.

There have been talks of Hazard, Mbappe and of course, Neymar, but Madrid have outrightly denied any involvement with the latter two names. At the unveiling of Madrid's newest player, President Florentino Perez said, "We have a great squad that is going to be reinforced with fantastic players", music to the ears of Madrid fans. Taking into consideration the rumors surrounding Madrid, we take a look at what might be their starting line-up on the first day of the regular season.

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Keylor Navas was the no.1 keeper for each of the 3 Champions League winning seasons under Zinedine Zidane. He was a 'Zidane favourite', but with the Frenchman gone, Keylor's place in the team is under threat. Madrid kicked off their summer by signing the 19-year-old Ukrainian Andriy Lunin, but given his age and inexperience at the highest level, he is likely to be a part of the youth set up.

There have been talks of De Gea joining from Manchester United, but his horror show in the World Cup might have damaged his reputation among the Spanish fans, especially the fans in the capital. In addition to that, the Red Devils seem reluctant to hear any offers for him either.

The best alternative available at the moment is Thibaut Courtois. The Chelsea man has less than a year left in his contract and is not willing to extend his stay at the club any further. Chelsea do not want to let go of him for free next season and are willing to negotiate with Madrid. Reports suggest that the price has been set for 35 million euros and the contract has been agreed upon by the player and the club.

Courtois' heroics with Belgium won him the Golden Glove during this year's World Cup. He is very close to signing for Madrid and will surely start games when signed.

Defence

Right Back: Dani Carvajal

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Real Madrid started off their spending by bringing in the young and talented Alvaro Odriozola. The former Real Sociedad man signed a six-year deal and arrived for a price of 35 million Euros. His arrival saw Hakim Achraf go out on loan to Borussia Dortmund. But he has been brought in to compete with the undisputed no.1 starter for the position, Dani Carvajal.

Odriozola was a Lopetegui favourite in the Spanish set-up and he has followed him to Madrid. His arrival will make life tough for Carvajal who is likely to be the number 1 choice for the team this season.

Center-Backs: Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane

Madrid have 2 World Cup winning centre-backs in their ranks, 2010 winner Sergio Ramos and 2018 winner Raphael Varane. A young prodigy in Jesus Vallejo and an all-rounder in Nacho complete the deck of cards at Lopetegui's disposal. While their rivals, Barcelona, have signed the highly rated former Sevilla defender, Clement Lenglet, Madrid seem to be satisfied with the options that they have.

Left-Back: Marcelo

There are two genuine contenders for the position in the team. Marcelo and Theo Hernandez. Marcelo has been the best left-back in the world for quite some time. He has been an indispensable part of the squad since taking over from his idol, Roberto Carlos. There have been rumors about Marcelo leaving the club this summer and joining his former teammate and best friend Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. Hernandez has also been linked with a move away from Madrid after a disappointing first season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It is safe to say that Theo is more likely the one to depart. Marcelo won't be shipped off to another team until and unless there is a player who can fill the gap that will be left by his departure.

As things stand, that replacement could be Alex Telles. The Brazil-born FC Porto fullback is a lot like Marcelo. He is very adventurous and likes to make overlapping runs and play fruitful crosses to the target man. Madrid have reportedly sent officials to Portugal to negotiate a deal for the 25-year-old fullback who is rated at around 35 million euros. Even if Telles joins, he will not enter the starting XI without going a season or half as second fiddle to one of the best full-backs in the world, Marcelo.

Midfielders: Luka Modric, Casemiro, Toni Kroos

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The engine of every team is its midfield. Madrid's magic midfield formula consists of a protector/destroyer, a strategist and a playmaker. Casemiro plays the first role, Kroos, the second and the World Cup 2018 Golden Ball winner Luka Modric performs the role of the playmaker.

Julen Lopetegui's idea of the 4-3-3 is slightly different. His wingers are usually midfielders that run into open spaces between the defence and midfield of the opposition to create space for the full backs.

His first choice midfield will most probably be the same as that of his predecessor, but he is likely to rotate his midfield more often and give more playing time to the likes of Marcos Llorente and Dani Ceballos, who have the talent and potential to become future stars.

Madrid's midfield is full of rich talent and they have not been linked to any midfielder yet. Modric's age was a topic of discussion among the fans but his World Cup campaign cleared any doubts regarding his abilities. As things stand, Modric, Casemiro and Kroos are the players Lopetegui will choose as his midfield 3 in the first match of the regular season.

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Wingers: Bale, Isco

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As stated earlier, Lopetegui likes his wingers to play more like CAMs and cut inside to link the midfield base with the attack. The players that he needs to do things like these are available in the current roster, but with Cristiano Ronaldo gone, the club needs a marquee signing this season and that player will most likely be Eden Hazard.

Hazard was one of the top 5 players in this year's World Cup; his goals and assists were crucial in Belgium's 3rd place finish, but so were his exceptional play-making abilities. Along with de Bruyne, who went missing in a game or two, Hazard was a constant threat.

Hazard would be a great signing for the club and remains a serious contender to replace CR7, but if the club opts against signing anyone new, it should not concern the fans. Lopetegui has his trusted soldiers in the camp. The likes of Isco and Marco Asensio are more than capable of playing the role that he likes his wingers to play.

Isco has impressed with his performances for Spain and for Real Madrid and Lopetegui trusts him a lot. This was visible in the games that he managed Spain as he let Isco roam free and take control of the game. While signing Hazard won't affect Isco's playing time, Asensio might benefit from Madrid pulling out of their chase for the Belgian. Lucas Vazquez can play the role as well but he is more of an out and out winger.

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There is one spot pretty clear in the team. Gareth Bale's future depends on assurances from the new manager. Bale has been with Madrid for quite some time now, but he has always been overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo. With the Portuguese being shipped to Turin, this is the time for Gareth Bale to prove his worth to the Madrid fan-base.

There is another option available in Vincius Jr. and he has impressed the fans in the training sessions. But his place in the starting XI is uncertain as he is still a work in progress.

As things stand, with Madrid not moving for Hazard, it will be safe to say that Bale and Isco are the two wingers that'll start under Lopetegui.

Striker: Karim Benzema

Benzema needs to find his form to remain in the starting XI

Lopetegui's 4-3-3 demands two things from the striker: strength to hold the ball as a no.9 and the tactical intelligence to link up the play. Great finishing is also a requirement but then that's what every manager needs.

Karim Benzema is the main man available right now with Borja Mayoral serving as his deputy. While Mayoral is great at the link-up play, he is not as strong as a Romelu Lukaku or a Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Benzema has grown into that kind of player but he has been very poor with his finishing for the last few seasons.

He has been criticized and whistled at by the fans and is not a popular figure. His favourite player to link up with, Ronaldo, is also gone and it will affect his game. It will be necessary for the Madrid hierarchy to look for someone in the market.

Robert Lewandowski has been a target for Los Blancos for a long time and his agent has fired up the rumour mills with his comments, but those rumours have cooled down and there has been no effort made by the Champions League holders to contact the Pole or his agent.

Given the current scenario, Karim Benzema will start the games as the sole striker.