Real Madrid haven’t had the best of seasons for their incredibly high standards.
Indeed, Los Blancos could be set for a trophyless campaign despite adding Kylian Mbappe to their ranks last year after doing the double.
Luckily, more help is on the way at the Santiago Bernabeu as Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to sign for Real Madrid.
Frighteningly, Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only big-name player Madrid are looking at.
William Saliba has been linked to Real Madrid, and speaking on The Dressing Room Podcast, Joe Cole has been discussing the idea of the Arsenal star signing for the Spanish giants.
Joe Cole makes William Saliba to Real Madrid claim
Cole spoke about Alexander-Arnold’s impending move to Spain and Saliba’s links to Madrid.
Cole reckons Madrid could change their formation to accommodate Saliba, switching to a back three and playing with wing-backs.
“I’d like to see him go to and play right back for Real Madrid. I think what they’ll do is they’ll probably balance it out with- Do you know what they’re looking at?” Cole asked.
“They’re looking at Saliba as well. Imagine Saliba and Rudiger and the other young centre-half they’ve got going (Asencio), sort of as, as a three, because there’s not a good season for Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid’s next manager could favour back three
Real Madrid switching to a back three would be quite something.
Indeed, Madrid are the home of the Galacticos, they’re not about using these over-thought tactical structures or different formations, they just sign the best players and win games.
In fact, Real Madrid have never really had a manager who consistently employs a back three – Zinedine Zidane was perhaps the closest to doing so in 2021 when he pushed Marcelo into a more attacking wing-back role.
However, Real Madrid’s next manager could well be a proprietor of a 3-4-3 system.
Indeed, Xabi Alonso is a target for Real Madrid, and he uses a back three with Bayer Leverkusen.
If Alonso does take over at the Bernabeu, he may well fancy Saliba as his first signing to really stamp his authority on that backline.
The £27m Arsenal man could be on the move to the Spanish capital at some point in the near future.
