I believe there were several problems in 2024/25. First one was a lack of desire after a season winning trophies. Second was the injuries to key players such as Militao, Carvajal, Mendy, Alaba, Camavinga etc that weakened the defensive line and moved Valverde out of his best position. Third one was the lack of a Kroos profile (it doesn't come as a surprise that Madrid's best games had an in form Ceballos in the starting eleven). The last one relates to lack of balance caused by having Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham playing at the same time.
Apart from the aforementioned problems I think most players need to disconnect from football for a while. The CWC has not helped with that and I would really love if it does not have a negative impact in months to come.
Regarding Vinicius, I have the theory he partly feels that if he plays with commitment the most benefited player would be Mbappe and that goes against his desire of becoming the best player in the world. I don't claim he is boycotting the team due to that, but somehow, consciously or unconsciously he detects that situation and his level of motivation is not and won't be as high as in 2023/24.
I think the club and Xabi are well aware of the problems of the team, most of which can be sorted with time and the new signings (none of which were available vs PSG). Even so, these elements are necessary but not sufficient. Vinicius and Mbappe's star status puts Alonso in a situation slightly similar, although smaller in size, to the one experienced by Camacho in the worst era of the Galacticos. Also, it remains to be seen whether Arda Guler will live up to expectations in his new position, or whether the club will make a signing to fill that role.
Apart from the aforementioned problems I think most players need to disconnect from football for a while. The CWC has not helped with that and I would really love if it does not have a negative impact in months to come.
Regarding Vinicius, I have the theory he partly feels that if he plays with commitment the most benefited player would be Mbappe and that goes against his desire of becoming the best player in the world. I don't claim he is boycotting the team due to that, but somehow, consciously or unconsciously he detects that situation and his level of motivation is not and won't be as high as in 2023/24.
I think the club and Xabi are well aware of the problems of the team, most of which can be sorted with time and the new signings (none of which were available vs PSG). Even so, these elements are necessary but not sufficient. Vinicius and Mbappe's star status puts Alonso in a situation slightly similar, although smaller in size, to the one experienced by Camacho in the worst era of the Galacticos. Also, it remains to be seen whether Arda Guler will live up to expectations in his new position, or whether the club will make a signing to fill that role.
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