Real Madrid Transfer Rumors: How Would Marco Reus Fit Into Carlo Ancelotti's Team?
Marco Reus looks like he might be coming to Real Madrid.
According to some reports, the German superstar has said that he wants to play for Real Madrid and could join as early as the summer.
Reus, 25, is one of the best players in the world and was expected to be a huge player for Germany in this summer's World Cup. As fate would have it, he was injured, but the team managed to win the tournament without him.
He took a hit on his stock as a result, but he has returned to scintillating form for his club Borussia Dortmund where he has one goal and two assists in three Bundesliga games thus far. And in his Champions League debut, he scored a jaw-dropping goal that has caught the attention of millions.
Undoubtedly, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is keeping watch and will probably be looking to bring in the German as soon as is possible.
But the question beckons, where would he fit in?
By nature, Reus is a terrific attacking midfielder that plays best right behind the striker. He would be the man linking the midfield and forward in a 4-2-3-1. But there is one problem. Madrid does not play a 4-2-3-1. And they already have plenty of traditional "10s."
Take James Rodriguez. The Colombian superstar was brought in after his splendid World Cup. He is a traditional attacking midfielder that excels when he is allowed to be in the "hole" creating plays. He can score goals, and he can create them. But under coach Carlo Ancelotti, he has found himself all over the map. He has played the traditional position a few times but has been found mainly on the wings for most of his time in Spain's capital.
Toni Kroos is also a natural in that position. However, his role seems to be morphing under Ancelotti, and he has been asked to play deeper and defend.
Finally, Isco is another attacking midfielder who is also adapting his game to a more defensive-minded approach.
This would lead one to assume that Reus would also be asked to switch up his play accordingly. But the problem is that he is a lethal scorer. In 2013-14 he scored 21 goals in the Champions League and Bundesliga combined. He topped 18 league goals back in 2011-12.
He is also good for creating goals as his 13 assists in 2013-14 proved. He is dynamic, ruthless and highly skilled.
Not to take away from any of the other Madrid attacking midfielders like Rodriguez or Isco, but Reus is a polished product. Those guys are still a few years younger than the German and will likely improve tremendously in coming years. But Reus is ready made.
So who gets chucked from the lineup? Cristiano Ronaldo, he of the 20 goals in all competitions this season, is a fixture at the top. Karim Benzema seems like a lock, as well. And Gareth Bale? He cost over $100 million. He isn't going to be on the bench.
Rodriguez also came with a big price tag, so it is unlikely he spends time on the bench much either. Isco has yet to lock up a starting spot so this move would all but secure him a seat next to Ancelotti. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have become fixtures in the middle, so it would be hard to imagine either would be moved onto the bench.
Unless one of them is sold.
Kroos is not going anywhere as he was just brought in.
Modric is a game-changer and arguably Madrid's most valuable midfielder. But if Reus is to come in, he is probably the one that Florentino Perez will part with. He would bring in a hefty sum that could help the president recoup some of his expenses on Reus. Modric is a top end passer that has struggled this season from being forced to play deeper in the midfielder. He is not a top defender and has been asked to be better at precisely that part of the game.
He is too good to let go of, but Perez might think that Reus is too good to overlook.
Who do you think gets sold from Madrid if Reus gets brought in? Let us know in the comments section below.
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