The Pros and Cons of Real Madrid pursuing Rodri Hernandez

Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a number of players over the course of the summer, with midfield often highlighted as a potential area for Los Blancos to strengthen. Although they do not lack quality in the position many feel that Xabi Alonso is lacking a player who can give them all the things that he did when he was at the club.

Alonso seems destined to go with a midfield three next season, rather than a pairing at the base as Carlo Ancelotti often favoured over the last two seasons. In Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Franco Mastantuono and Jude Bellingham, the Basque manager has plenty of options, but none that have demonstrated an ability to set the tempo at the top level. If Real Madrid want to increase their odds of winning the league at Easybet, bringing one in could see a significant shift in that regard.

It has meant that Real Madrid have been linked to the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Angelo Stiller and others, but the one that keeps coming back is Manchester City’s Rodri Hernandez. City’s star man is out of contract in two summers, and has thus far turned down their offers of a renewal.

The upside is obvious for Los Blancos, in that they would be getting one of the best midfielders in the world. Few can direct the game quite like Rodri, and he could be one of the few to fill the Toni Kroos-shaped hole in midfield. Over the last season, Real Madrid struggled to supply their midfielders and forwards the ball in good situations, something that Rodri bases his game on.

His composure in midfield would also help Real Madrid escape the press, something key in their intentions of toppling Barcelona. The defence and midfield often found themselves forced to play more direct due to a lack of options to get the ball out from the back.

In addition, Rodri would be an experienced head in a side that has been losing plenty of experience and leadership over recent years.

On the other hand, spending big on Rodri is not without risk either. Rodri is 29 years of age at this point, and especially if they wait until next summer, then Los Blancos will be recruiting a 30-year-old with lots of football in his legs. The Spain midfielder is also coming off the back of a cruciate ligament injury, that could take its toll as he moves into the latter stages of his career, and on his ability to get around the pitch.

Similarly, signing Rodri would very much enter into a conflict with their transfer policy if it happens next summer. Los Blancos do not hand out multi-year deals to players over thirty, and it has functioned well for them in recent seasons. Should Rodri return, on paper he would solve plenty of their issues, but there is a reason they have reserved their big spending for younger options.