Fabio Capello has delivered a stark assessment of Real Madrid's squad ahead of a transformative summer transfer window. The legendary Italian manager pinpointed the midfield as the primary area requiring reinforcement, warning that the club's failure to adequately replace departing veterans has cost them dearly this season.
Real Madrid's 2025-26 campaign ended without a major trophy, a stark contrast to their historical standards. The Spanish giants finished behind Barcelona in La Liga, and while a 4-2 victory over Athletic Club provided a respectable finale, it masked deeper structural problems within the squad. Capello, speaking at a recent event, refused to sugarcoat the situation: "It hasn't been an easy season for Real Madrid. We need to understand where the good players are and where the team is failing."
The Midfield Problem
Capello's diagnosis centres on the engine room, where the loss of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos—two of the greatest midfielders in the club's history—has created an unfillable void. The Italian tactician emphasized that Real Madrid requires players who combine technical excellence with tactical intelligence, qualities that defined their previous golden era. "In midfield, which is where they need to find players like Modric and others, like Kroos. These players are fundamental because of their quality and tactical intelligence. That's where we've been lacking a bit these past few years," Capello explained.
The midfield has historically been Real Madrid's foundation; since 2008, the club won four Champions League titles partly due to the dominance of Modric, Kroos, and their predecessors. Their departures have exposed a shortage of world-class ball-progressing midfielders capable of controlling matches at the highest level.
Transfer Targets and Solutions
With Jose Mourinho expected to return as manager, Real Madrid is actively pursuing several options:
- Rodri (Manchester City) – The Spanish midfielder is the primary target, with potential availability following Pep Guardiola's departure
- Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) – A dream signing, though his price tag remains prohibitively expensive
- Morten Hjulmand (Sporting CP) – A cost-effective alternative and reportedly a Mourinho favourite
The recruitment strategy will also be shaped by ongoing departures. Emotional goodbyes to veteran defenders Dani Carvajal and David Alaba mark the end of an era, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, who endured a difficult debut season at right-back, has vowed to deliver silverware next term. His determination signals intent across the squad, even as Real Madrid undertakes its most significant overhaul in recent memory.
Mourinho's second stint at the Bernabeu will demand swift, decisive action in the transfer market. Success depends on identifying players who can match the technical and tactical standards that defined Real Madrid's dominance in European football over the past decade.
