Real Madrid and the decline of the Galactico policy

When someone talks about Real Madrid or even just mentions their name during any football related discussion, what are the common things that we tend to associate with them?

Famous players - check, trophies - check, strong finances - check, transfer records - check, youth development - ?

Yes, there's a big question mark surrounding the youth development area.

Over the years, we have known Real Madrid to be the ultimate players during the transfer window. If a player was making waves and was marketable as well, Real Madrid went ahead of everyone and flexed their financial muscles to obtain the player's signature.

Many of these deals were made possible due to the President-ship of construction magnate Florentino Perez. A controversial figure in the football administrative world, Perez set out to buy the best players any team had and assemble them in one team. Thus the term 'Galacticos' was coined.

Real Madrid had such an affinity for these superstars that they ended up setting a record each time they bought one of them and the crazy thing was that they themselves were the ones who broke their previous records.

1999 was the official start of Perez's Galactico era with the signing of Luis Figo for £37 million. That continued for four further signings, Zinedine Zidane (£46 million), Kaka (£56 million), Cristiano Ronaldo (£80 million), ending with Gareth Bale's record £86 million. This record was finally shattered by Manchester United in 2016 when they bought back Paul Pogba for £89 million.

The beginning of a new era

Zidane has ushered in a new era at Real Madrid

As seen in years gone by, the then-managers were forced to accommodate the high profile signings into the team due to the influence of Perez, thereby disturbing the balance of the team. Not Zidane. During his playing days, he had to witness the sale of Claude Makelele only to be replaced by David Beckham which prompted him to make the following statement.

"Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?"

Real Madrid's last big signing was James Rodriguez in 2014 for £63 million. Since then they have rarely spent astronomical amounts on luxury signings. Much of this may be attributed to a certain Frenchman who was appointed as the manager in 2016. Yes, it's Zidane who has instilled his philosophy deep into the club in his short tenure as manager.

A 12-year gap in between their 9th and 10th Champions League titles as well as a 5-year gap between La Liga triumphs were the consequences of playing 11 separate marketable superstars instead of a united group of players.

This approach changed under Zidane who has focused on the teams' needs before catering to the individual players' demands. He hasn't let the influence of Perez affect the team. If any player did not fit his system, they slipped down the pecking order. Previous managers would have changed the system and tactics to accommodate the star players, but not Zidane.

Case in point, the exclusion of James Rodriguez, a luxury signing by Perez to exploit his marketability after a successful World Cup. The 4-3-3 formation that Zidane likes to use does not employ the traditional no.10 and even when the 4-4-2 diamond was used, Isco, Marco Asensio or Lucas Vazquez was preferred.

This season, Real Madrid have signed some of the brightest young talents available such as Theo Hernandez and Dani Ceballos as well as recalled their best players that went out on loan, such as Jesus Vallejo and Marcos Llorente.

Theo Hernandez is one for the future

These signings clearly show Zidane's vision for the future. He has shipped off dead wood like Pepe and Fabio Coentrao and hasn't bought any established superstars to replace them. Instead, he has looked in his own basket and found the jewels that he needed.

In Marco Asensio, he has a forward who can play anywhere across the frontline with his immaculate dribbling and decision making. Theo Hernandez will be groomed under Marcelo's guidance for the left-back spot. Jesus Vallejo is a like-for-like replacement for Pepe and the like of Llorente and Ceballos can share the midfield responsibilities with existing players such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Real Madrid have a squad that can easily dispatch big teams and also a second string emerging side that can see off minnows. The credits have to go to Zidane who has enforced his say in these transfers and maintained balance in a squad where nearly everyone is a big personality.

Therefore it is clear that the side from the capital city have gradually shied away from the toxic Galactico policy of yesteryear and have their feet fixed firmly in the present and their eyes set on the future.