One of the biggest challenges of the last season was the connection between Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé. Since October, his performance has dropped, which coincided with the controversy over the Ballon d'Or that Rodri ended up winning.
Meanwhile, Mbappé has taken time to adapt. Although he has scored many goals, he doesn't seem to have reached his ceiling. Sharing the field with Vinícius hasn't been easy for either of them.
Madrid's trident still doesn't gel
Both tend to occupy the same attacking area. Their heat maps are practically identical. This has led to overlaps and a loss of depth on the left wing.
Ancelotti tried several tactical solutions. He moved Mbappé to the center and kept Vinícius close to the sideline. However, the result wasn't entirely convincing.
Gonzalo García still doesn't work
At the Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso wanted to try a different option. He gave Gonzalo García minutes as the main striker. Although he shows promise, he doesn't seem ready to take on the role.
Given this situation, the Basque coach has requested a new attacking profile. Someone who can pin down the center-backs and free up Vinícius and Mbappé. The goal is to change the structure without breaking up the attack.
The name that has come out of West Ham and surprises everyone
In the last few hours, an unexpected name has emerged: Niclas Füllkrug. He currently plays for Borussia Dortmund, but he was close to West Ham. The English side considered signing him before ruling it out.
Füllkrug has played for several German teams with good performances. He stood out at Werder Bremen and was a key piece for Dortmund, which reached the Champions League final in 2024. He has also been an international for Germany in major competitions.
In that season, he scored 16 goals and provided 6 assists, but in this last one, he hasn't managed to adapt to the Premier League. His movement inside the box and his goal-scoring instinct make him a constant threat. Xabi Alonso believes he would fit very well with the current wingers.
Füllkrug fits Xabi Alonso's new Madrid vision
With Füllkrug as the reference point, Mbappé could play with more freedom. Vinícius would regain the wing without having to move inside. Real Madrid would gain balance and attacking variety.
Moreover, his signing wouldn't require a major investment. The German striker is open to the possibility of a change of scenery. The white project is an unmissable opportunity for him.
Gonzalo García's future remains uncertain. If Füllkrug's arrival is confirmed, the young academy player will have to look for playing time elsewhere. Madrid is looking for the present, but without forgetting the future.