The departure of coach Zinedine Zidane, the appointment of new boss Julen Lopetegui from under the noses of the Spanish national team days before the World Cup and club icon Cristiano Ronaldo‘s exit to Juventus, being three huge stories in their own right.
Slowly but surely the focus is moving back to the pitch as the three-time consecutive Champions League winners embark on a summer tour Stateside, where they will face the likes of Manchester United, Juventus and Roma in the International Champions Cup.
There are sure to be plenty of key plotlines on the horizon and here we tackle five key questions president Florentino Perez is almost certainly mulling over in the Whites boardroom as you read this.
Kicking things off with a brilliant Belgian…
Will Eden Hazard become Real’s Galactico signing?
The saga over the Belgian’s future is expected to drag out throughout much of pre-season but there is no doubt Chelsea’s chief orchestrator has his heart set on a move to the Spanish capital.
New Stamford Bridge boss Maurizio Sarri is desperate to hold talks with the 27-year-old, who is currently holidaying in Marbella post-World Cup, but by the looks of it, it could take some convincing to persuade Hazard to extend his six-season stay in west London.
Hazard is at the peak of his powers and would be a worthy acquisition. He may not have the same commercial pulling power or perhaps global status as other would-be targets, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, but is the most realistic option and a man who could domineer Real’s No10 role.
As such, he would be a statement signing – like the bygone Galactico Era – one of which Real need in what feels like a new project and team. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing and a big marquee capture is a true statement of intent. His anticipated price tag, in the region of €150m, is a big fee but the going rate in today’s market.
Where that leaves Isco is for Lopetegui to figure out, but accommodating them both shouldn’t be an issue. The supply line is certainly there along with a robust central midfield filled with experience, given you expect Luka Modric, especially, still has a good few years left in him yet.
What to do about Gareth Bale?
Will he stay or go? Gareth Bale.
In theory, Ronaldo’s exit should realistically give the Welshman a platform to be the main man at the Bernabeu.
Clearly, the club’s record signing had always felt he deserved to be appreciated more, and with CR7 departed, the four-time Champions League winner could enjoy something of a rebirth at the club.
His display in May’s thrilling win over Liverpool and that goal, has almost relaxed Bale and his plight. Folklore has been achieved from that night in Kiev and he will feel he has nothing to prove – even though he struggled for large parts of last season and fell out of favour with Zidane.
Bale is still on staggering financial terms at the Bernabeu until 2022, a contract few teams could match. Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain would potentially be his likely destinations but the rumours seem to have slowed and Lopetegui may just be happy to work with what he has.
Making a fully fit 28-year-old a key focal point in this side is a possibility and Real hierarchy will be keeping a close eye on him as stars returned for pre-season training at Valdebebas this week.
That said, if Madrid can recoup anywhere near close to the €91 million they shelled out for him all those years ago, then the cash could form the hedge fund for a Hazard swoop.
How do you replace Cristiano Ronaldo?
An impossible task. Plugging a superstar void, one who supplied 450 goals in 438 games over a nine-year period, is not even worth thinking about.
As such, Los Blancos don’t need to front-up exactly to that issue but instead find ways around it.
In keeping with Real’s recent policy of not only promoting youth but giving young Spanish blood a chance to thrive, Marco Asensio should view the 2018-19 campaign as the biggest of his career. He now has the platform to progress into the role of a lone frontman and significantly increase his goal, which is not beyond him.
Karim Benzema faded in La Liga this past season, netting just five goals, and 12 in total, and could soon move on. No longer will the Frenchman be gifted a relatively easy ride at the club, given he was a favourite under Zidane as Lopetugei has no allegiance with the player, although he will respect his experience all the same.
Transfer window options, particularly in the striking ranks, are limited to Real’s long-term pursuit of Robert Lewandowski and Mbappe. France World Cup winner Mbappe would appear out of reach, and at 29, this is the last realistic window where the Spanish giants could chase the Pole with such force.
What can we expect from new boss Lopetegui?
A former Real Madrid goalkeeper, there is no doubt Lopetegui has Los Blancos in his blood and he said as much at his official unveiling.
Experience as well managing Real Madrid Castilla for one season always made him a marked man on Perez’s radar and while his two-year spell with Porto in Portugal was largely underwhelming, spells either side of that with La Roja under-19, under-20 and 21 sides between 2010 and 2014 and then his stint as Spain head coach, kept his stock high.
However, his sacking just before the World Cup puts him under the microscope immediately and he could be in for some hostile receptions when Real travel away.
Madridistas should, though, expect free-flowing football from a man who typically gives his players freedom to express themselves in a clear structure (notably, a 4-3-3). That said, he has been known to implement differing styles and is not afraid to mix things up, whether Madrid will counter-attack or use high-pressing methods next term.
He is a manager who likes fluid concepts and seamless transitions between defence and attack, midfield to attack, and vice-versa, which should be something Real stars enjoy given the focus before was rather more rigid to accommodate Ronaldo’s central threat and role.
Lopetegui may have taken the job under the pretenses Ronaldo was about to leave, nevertheless, the 33-year-old Whites idol’s departure actually makes his job easier in a sense as the Portuguese’s departure flagged up a new era, a new style and new team.
While the pressure is intense in the Bernabeu hotseat, it gives him a chance to craft his team like never before. The 51-year-old is living the dream and will certainly be doing everything to make it work.
Turning the page: Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui.
Is winning the La Liga title a priority or retaining their Champions League crown?
Both are, it’s Real Madrid at the end of the day. But, if you are to look at that question analytically, wrestling a stranglehold on domestic matters against Barcelona and building a winning team in La Liga is surely right at the top of Lopetegui’s remit.
Although Madrid are synonymous with success in the Champions League, the historic feat they achieved last season coupled with the changing of the guard and the dawn of a new era, believe it or not, has actually took a bit of pressure off this side defending their title for a third successive year.
Still, they will be expected to compete at the business end of proceedings.
Certainly, you could foresee a scenario where Blaugrana direct their focus towards claiming a first European Cup since 2015 and see that as their main objective. As such, it could see them take their eyes off the boil in the league.
Real Madrid were crowned European champions for the third successive year in May.
