Real Madrid 2023: Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and the scary line-up set to lead Los Blancos towards another decade of domination

Courtois es uno de los mejores porteros del mundo, y todavía le quedan algunos años al máximo nivel. El Madrid tendrá que pensar en un portero suplente, eso sí, por la posible salida de Lunin. El club busca un guardameta suplente de más garantías.

Dani Carvajal termina contrato en el verano de 2024 y probablemente sea el momento de buscar un sustiuto para el lateral de Leganés de 31 años, que hace tiempo que no rinde a su mejor nivel.

El canterano Vinicius Tobias ha impresionado en las categorías inferiores y suena desde hace tiempo el nombre del lateral del Chelsea Reece James.

Ancelotti le ha calificado en varias ocasiones como uno de los mejores centrales del mundo y es el presente y futuro de la defensa del Madrid. También ha jugado de lateral derecho en el pasado y podría ser una alternativa para el equipo.

Alaba y Rüdiger se han turnado en la posición del central que acompaña a Militao. Aunque por edad o por bajas prestaciones, parece que el Madrid quiere a otro jugador en esta posición.

No tendría sentido que el Madrid se gastase una millonada en otro central más, pero podría optar por un jugador joven con mucha proyección.

El exjugador ya del Rayo ha mostrado unas grandes condiciones para ocupar el lateral izquierdo y sustituir la opción de emergencia que ha sido Camavinga esta temporada. Aunque no hay que descartar que Ancelotti siga poniendo el joven francés en esa posición.

Si consiguen vender a Mendy por una buena cantidad, el club blanco podría intentar el fichaje de un jugador de primer nivel en esa posición como Alphonso Davies.

Con Kroos y Modric en el tramo final de su carrera, especialmente el croata, en la directiva creen que es hora de que Camavinga ocupe su posición en el centro del campo como interior.

En cualquier caso, Camavinga tiene que entrar en el once del Madrid, dondequiera que encaje. Ha sido uno de los mejores jugadores del Madrid esta temporada, y todavía tiene margen de mejora.

El Madrid espera que su nuevo pivote sea Tchouaméni. Hace una temporada se gastaron 80 millones más variables por un jugador con unas condiciones tremendas. En su primera campaña en el Madrid no consiguió brillar, pero se espera que se haga el dueño de las tareas defensivas del medio del campo madridista.

There hasn't been an expectation that Bellingham has failed to meet. The midfielder led Borussia Dortmund on a late Bundesliga title charge, and there's reason to believe that his side's final-day collapse wouldn't have happened if Bellingham had been available to play.

But he won't get another chance in Germany, with Madrid sealing his signature on a long-term contract. Bellingham would be an ideal addition to any midfield, and should flourish alongside any of los Blancos' options in the position. There might be a growing pain or two - there often is for Madrid midfielders. But with the players around him, any adjustment period should be short.

Rodrygo was arguably Madrid's most improved player last year. The numbers certainly back it up. Rodrygo tallied over 20 goal involvements in all competitions, doubling his effort from the 2021-22 season. And after a few awkward showings on the right, the Brazilian started to find a rhythm in the position. He was helped, of course, by Madrid's fluid attack.

But by the end of the season, Rodrygo was making all of the right runs and releasing the ball at the right time. This does little to change the fact that Rodrygo is still most comfortable as a No.10. For now, though, he makes a fine winger.

This was always going to happen at some point. But it's a surprise that a Mbappe move to Madrid is lined up for this summer. Most assumed that the Frenchman would time his move to his best interests, leaving on a free either before this season or after next. Instead, he wants out now, and will land PSG a handsome return in doing so.

There are some reasonable questions about positional fit here. Mbappe is not a No.9 and nearly fell out with PSG over his insistence on playing alongside one. He, in fact, operates in very similar spaces that Vinicius Jr thrives in. But this is a Carlo Ancelotti team, where vibes often prove to be more important than actual positions. Keep Mbappe happy, and he'll lead the line to excellent effect.

The presumptive arrival of Mbappe doesn't necessarily make things easy here. Mbappe wants to play off the left, but Madrid will have no plans to switch him to a different side anytime soon - especially if they don't sign another attacking player that could warrant a total reshuffle.

Besides, why would you want to? Vinicius was better than Mbappe at times last year, and will only improve. This might get trickier next year, when Madrid could bring in a more natural No. 9 to keep Mbappe happy. Until then, Vini is the go-to guy on the left. And that's by no means a bad thing.

This one was up for debate just a few months ago. Rumours of Ancelotti taking the Brazil national team job arose in spring, and never really went away. They were handed proper validation when the president of the Brazilian FA openly admitted that he wanted the Madrid boss to take over the Selecao. For now, Ancelotti has declined and has promised to see out his contract at Madrid, which expires next summer.

And that is likely what he will do. Ancelotti has enough credit, and gravitas, to retain his job throughout the season. But it seems he could be on his way out next summer. Don't be surprised if a replacement is already lined up to take charge of a team that could usher in a new era of success at the Bernabeu...