It is hardly a massive statement of intent when I tell you that Real Madrid, the champions of Spain and champions of Europe, will once again be the benchmark for all their opponents when the 2022-23 La Liga season kicks off in a month’s time.
After all, they romped to the Spanish title last term and added to it by beating a string of Europe’s best en route to winning a magnificent 14th European Cup.
So, when asked to assess whether Los Blancos will retain their domestic crown, the answer from this SBOTOP observer was an emphatic yes – the La Liga betting odds agree (although arch-rivals Barcelona are not too far behind).
While it’s far from a one-way race, I fully expect last season’s top three to be next season’s top three in exactly the same order.
They started briskly in the transfer market last month by bringing in Aurelien Tchouameni to further bolster a vaunted midfield that already has the likes of Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga. And they’ve also brought in centre-back Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea via a free transfer.
Incidentally, Rudiger is the 10th German to play for the club and if he is half as successful as the ninth – in nine seasons in the capital Kroos has won 16 titles, including four Champions League titles – his time at the Bernabeu will be a real triumph.
Transfer-wise, I would have thought Real were far from finished there, however, only yesterday, when asked whether there was anything else in the pipeline, boss Carlo Ancelotti indicated their business was likely complete for this summer.
The theory that an excess of players in the dressing room creates unrest and tension could well be right and is something the club is supposedly trying to minimise.
But could that leave them short in certain areas?
Well, Luka Jovic has been sold to Fiorentina, experienced duo Marcelo and Gareth Bale have also moved on and Isco’s future is still undecided, two weeks after his contract expired, although offers have not been lacking and he’s not expected to remain at the club next term.
It has been suggested that talented German Leroy Sane, who has a contract until 2025 at Bayern Munich, has been offered to the club.
Reportedly, during negotiations over Jovic’s departure, an offer was made as the two players share representation, yet it’s unlikely the German champions would be willing to sell such a player when star striker Robert Lewandowski is expected to depart.
Perhaps Ancelotti is not keen because he has a player whom, if injury-free, could end up being like a brand new signing.
The Italian has revealed he is willing to try out playing Eden Hazard as a false no.9 when Karim Benzema needs some rest and the Belgian has returned to the Spanish capital in the best shape he’s been in since joining the club three years ago.
Former Chelsea man Hazard has been slowed down by injuries, but his most recent surgery, which saw a plate removed in his right leg, has seen the discomfort in his ankle disappear.
If those muscular injuries can also be consigned to history, he could well become a regular figure in the starting line-up and be responsible for La Liga highlights.
Along with Benzema, Hazard could also be a valuable role model for the likes of Champions League match-winner Vinicius and Rodrygo, both of whom are currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
The latter is on the verge of signing a new deal, reward for his form which, since April, has been particularly impressive.
In the decisive stretch of the season, he scored seven times and provided three assists in 13 appearances – three of those goals helped his team to that European triumph: the goal that forced extra time in the quarter-final second leg against Chelsea and the injury-time brace that took Real into extra time in the dramatic semi-finals against Manchester City.
The final word, however, should go to the boss. One of the finest managers the game has ever produced and a wily operator still proving his worth after all these years.
If Ancelotti wants a smaller squad, he will get his wish; if he wants a key name, he will be backed to the hilt.
This title race will be a lot closer to last season and we should remember, Real have not retained a La Liga title since 2008, 14 years ago. However, they remain the team to beat.
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