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Marco Asensio is the man of the moment for Real Madrid. The 20-year-old Spanish midfielder, who came back to the capital club after spending the last season on loan to Espanyol, has made an immediate impact by scoring two crucial goals in the two competitive matches Real Madrid have played so far. The former Mallorca player had an amazing season with Espanyol and was their best player in the league, assisting 10 goals and scoring 4. The youngster impressed in pre-season in the USA with some stellar performances down the left hand side of midfield that finally led Zidane to give him a chance. The decision so far has paid off as the midfielder has scored two stunning goals: one a 25 yards screamer and the other a cheeky chip over the keeper’s head.
The homecoming of this talented player can lead to some reshuffling in the squad and someone may have to leave the club too. Jese left soon after Asensio was confirmed to stay at Real Madrid and maybe the next person will be James Rodriguez. The former Porto and Monaco attacking midfielder has gone further down the pecking order with the signing of Asensio. Real Madrid already have a overcrowded midfield and the addition of Asensio is going to worsen that.
With Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo out, many expected Isco and James to start together as they did under a majority of Carlo Ancelloti’s last season or atleast one of them to fill up for Modric. But, many were taken by surprise as Zidane went out with Asensio and even more surprisingly, tthe young Mateo Kovacic. Last season, it was Kovacic who used to be the one last in the pecking order and Isco the first choice to replace anyone in the midfield positions. But, at the moment Real have a total of 7 midfielders with three of them making the starting lineup while four on the bench, which is surplus.
The rise of Asensio really puts James’ future in jeopardy. Zidane may either give him a chance to prove himself and see what’s to be done or probably the Galactico may leave the club before its too late. James himself, though, is not willing to leave and wants to fight but the reality is there is no place for him in the team. All the other midfielders actually can take the role of a CM. James, on the other hand, is not known for his defensive work but his attacking abilities. Same was the case with Isco but, he worked and moulded himself into a different player to stay and serve the club. We now see Isco tracking back willingly covering up for Marcelo as and when required and combining well with the left back in attack as well. James, on the contrary, can only thrive when played in an attacking position in the midfield which is non-existent in the Real Madrid formation and Zidane’s tactics. There is a really tough competition in the Real Madrid bench and all the lads will have to work hard to get the playing time.