Real Madrid is starting the season with renewed energy after Xabi Alonso's arrival on the bench. However, not everyone sees the team as solid as it appears.
Among them is Julio Maldonado "Maldini," one of the most followed football analysts in Spain. Maldini has sent a message that hasn't gone unnoticed at the white club.
The expert acknowledges that the Madrid side has a fearsome attack and a top-level defense. However, he warns of an obvious problem in the midfield area.
The departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric still haven't been addressed. That, in the medium term, could be an insurmountable obstacle.
Maldini's analysis
In his appearance on his YouTube channel, Maldini got straight to the point. He laid out what, in his view, represents the team's major shortcoming:
"Real Madrid has a frightening forward line and a consolidated defense, but there's a lack of quality in the midfield.
Kroos and Modric's departure hasn't been addressed with footballers of their level. As of today, the squad is lacking in that area."
His words have had an immediate impact among the fans. Many supporters agree that the white engine room has lost creativity, control, and experience.
The new generation formed by Valverde, Camavinga, or Tchouaméni brings energy and physicality. However, they don't have the same poise as the two geniuses who defined an era.
The challenge for Xabi Alonso
"Real Madrid shows me a great tactical improvement, with that high, very high pressing that this team does so well. However, I have the feeling that when the toughest matches of the season arrive, this team lacks a bit of quality in the middle."
Maldini adds, "Comparing it with other teams... Real Madrid came from the Modric and Kroos era and now... let's see how Güler does in that new position.
Tchouaméni is the big winner from Xabi Alonso's arrival because Madrid defends higher up the field. With Valverde, it's the opposite because Madrid will play many matches against teams that sit very deep. That hurts Valverde."
He concludes, "Madrid will concede few chances, few goals, leaving behind those end-to-end matches where they defended poorly and were in a lot of danger. Up front, what they have is that Mbappé is at a stratospheric level.
It's true that Vinícius isn't doing well, but Mbappé is going to have an even better season than the last one. If there's no injury, he's going to score more goals."
The new Real Madrid coach aims to find a midfield that once again becomes the engine of the team. Xabi, who as a footballer was one of the great organizers of European soccer, knows exactly what Maldini is talking about.
The coach trusts that, as the matches go by, players like Bellingham will take on more responsibility in creation. However, quite a few analysts believe that the Englishman is more comfortable arriving in the box than managing the build-up. That is the big unknown: who will take the helm of the play.
Florentino under the spotlight
The debate doesn't affect only the locker room. The directors' box is also watching the market closely. Florentino Pérez, a specialist in strategic signings, is clear that in 2026 there will be interesting options available for free.
Names like Konaté, Upamecano, or Wharton appear on the list, although none of them solve the lack of quality in the midfield.
The fans are beginning to wonder if the president will make a decisive move to sign a top-level midfielder. Meanwhile, Maldini's words sound like a warning in the midst of building the new project.
A timely warning
The analyst's reflection can be interpreted as criticism, but also as a preventive warning. Real Madrid has a squad to compete for everything, although the risk that the midfield won't be up to the task could make the difference in the big matches.
Xabi Alonso knows it and Florentino does too. Time will tell if the bet on the youngsters is enough or if, in the end, it will be necessary to go to the market to recover the magic lost after Kroos and Modric's departure.