Finale of "The Magic Flute": How to build a new ceremony midfielder?

For Real Madrid Chairman Florentino, the reconstruction of the "Galaxy Fleet" is obviously not the last puzzle, and Modric's successor is. After all, the foundation on which Real Madrid relies on success in the past 10 years is a world-class "ceremonial midfielder". In this regard, after Alonso takes office, the reconstruction of Real Madrid's midfielder will be his primary technical "assessment indicator".

Reporter Han Bing reported that with Modric's departure, the "ceremonial midfielder" of Real Madrid's golden age in the past 10 years has officially become history. In order to build the "Galaxy Fleet Phase 3", Real Madrid has invested nearly 290 million euros to buy 7 new players in the midfield. But after this season where all four majors are gone, it proves that Real Madrid's midfield reconstruction has not been completed. Bellingham (worth 180 million euros), Valverde (130 million), Chuaméni (80 million) and Kamavenga (70 million) each have their own strengths, but they lack the master-level ability like Modric to control offense and defense rhythm and ball possession rate.

For Real Madrid Chairman Florentino, the reconstruction of the "Galaxy Fleet" is obviously not the last piece of the puzzle, and Modric's successor is. After all, the foundation on which Real Madrid relies on success in the past 10 years is a world-class "ceremonial midfielder". Although Real Madrid is confident that Bellingham, Valverde and Guillail will succeed in forming a new midfield, the new coach Alonso has submitted a midfield signing. It is still unknown whether Real Madrid's new "ceremonial midfielder" will be a 3-man, 4-man or 5-man team.

How to build Real Madrid's midfielder in the new season is based on the tactical system that the new coach Alonso plays in Real Madrid. The 3421 Alonso relied on for success in Leverkusen will most likely be copied to Real Madrid. With the arrival of Heisen and Arnold and the injury of main players such as Militon and Carvajal, Real Madrid has completed the three-guard system and the right-wingback double insurance configuration. But on the left, Alonso's system in Real Madrid still lacks a sharp edge weapon that can achieve the two wings flying together. Leverkusen's favorite player Grimaldo is the candidate for Alonso to sign up for Real Madrid.

This season, Leverkusen used three-guard formations to 35 games (343 formations 27 games, 352 formations 8 games), and the four-guard formations have only 13 games, including 4231, 442, 451 and 4411. Alonso knows how to adapt, and he will not completely give up the four-back system that the players are familiar with. But 3421 will still be Real Madrid's main formation, and it will be integrated and transformed based on Real Madrid's existing players.

Alonso did rely on the wingback in Leverkusen's midfield and attacked on both left and right. But more goals come from passes in the middle, with the left middle accounting for as much as 38%, the right middle accounting for 26%, and the two wings accounting for 18%. Leverkusen's success is basically based on the offenses led by left and right wingbacks Grimaldo, Flynnpon and left midfielder Wilz, but the high-quality ball control and propulsion brought by ball-handling midfielder Zach also plays an important role. The same tactics should be reproduced in Real Madrid. Vinicius and Mbappe can be on the offensive end, while Guerre and Valverde can attack on the right side. But it is difficult to find a match for the four midfielders. There is no suitable candidate for the left wingback who is both offense and defense. Kamavenga and Chu Ameni can occupy a defensive midfield position, but the axial role similar to Zacha is still vacant.

Real Madrid's "Celebration Midfield" configuration is an organic whole with Kroos, Modric and Casemiro, while Alonso's 4-man midfield system in Leverkusen, Zachar is the axis of offense and defense conversion, and Garcia is responsible for protection and oppression. Bellingham was unable to perfectly adapt to Zachar's role, and Modric and Kroos left one after another, leaving this most critical position vacant. In this sense, how Real Madrid's new "ceremonial midfielder" is composed, Alonso is more concerned about first finding Modric's successor and then integrating based on existing players.

Real Madrid's new coach Alonso has proposed to the club to introduce the central midfield, namely Vitina of Paris Saint-Germain, Enzo of Chelsea, and Palacios of Leverkusen. In addition, there are more and younger options, but obviously only medium- and long-term plans rather than short-term goals for the new season. However, it is very difficult to sign these three candidates. Not only is it expensive, but more importantly, it is almost impossible for them to let people go in their respective clubs.

25-year-old Portuguese midfielder Vitina is one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 and Champions League this season. This season, he made 7 goals and 2 assists in Ligue 1 and Champions League 45 times. He has passed 7 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League this season. This season, he has surpassed Xavi's passes in the Champions League (1,200 times, 2003/04 season), becoming the player with the most passes in the Champions League season since statistics were made in the 2003/04 season. Previously, in the second leg of the February January 8 final against Liverpool, Vitinia passed 212 times in a single game, setting a record for the most passes in a single game in the Champions League since statistics. Moreover, this season, Vitinia's pass success rate is as high as 96% under the pressure of his opponent pressing and defending. Obviously, Vitinia, who can pass and shoot well, is Modric's best successor. But his contract with Paris Saint-Germain will expire in four years. Although his current value is only 60 million euros, I believe it will soar sharply after the end of the season, and Paris Saint-Germain is destined not to let him go easily.

24-year-old Enzo has scored 7 goals and 12 assists in 40 games in the Premier League and European Cup this season, and his attack power is better than Vitina. Enzo's activity area is on the left, almost completely coincided with Zaka in Leverkusen. This season, he ranked first in the Premier League in the number of passes before assists, and ranked in the top 5 in the Premier League before creating shots. In addition, his direct passes and conversion attacks and defenses are also among the top, and his success rate is very high. This season, only Salah's Palmer scored more goals than Enzo in the sports game. Moreover, Enzo is good at stealing and organizing offense in the backcourt, and is the ideal metronome for Alonso to implement the 3421 tactics in Real Madrid. But Enzo's contract is still 7 years away, and Chelsea has also emphasized that the Argentine midfielder is not a seller. However, Brazilian media reports claim that Real Madrid and Chelsea may use Rodrigo to exchange with Enzo to complete this amazing deal.

26-year-old Palacios is Alonso's favorite player. He contributed 1 goal and 6 assists in 34 Bundesliga and Champions League this season. His offensive data are not as good as Vitina and Enzo. He plays Bayern in the third and fourth matches this season, and with the Champions League against Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, he is both Zaka's partner in the midfield. Palacios averaged 80 passes per game, with a success rate of 90.3%, and a threatening pass per game, with a very good pass ability. Although his contract at Leverkusen will expire in three years, it is the relatively easiest new player for Real Madrid to get. His transfer fee will not exceed 50 million euros, with a net worth of 40 million euros. Of course, compared to Vitinia and Enzo, Palacios' ability is still slightly inferior.