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| Spanish giants Real Madrid have found life hard without Ronaldo and have to shake things up next season |
Defending champions Real Madrid finally put an end to their five match winless run with a win in last night's Champions League match against minows Viktoria Plzen. Despite that Madrid's laboured display against a team they should beat easily has not gone down well and with El Classico looming Los Blancos have plenty of cause to worry.
After making a good start to the new season, with three consecutive wins, Real have looked off the pace and what's becoming evident is the reality of life after Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portugal star played a big role in Madrid's success over the last few years winning a number of major honours for the club, including their treble of successive Champions League titles, and left the club as its all time goal scorer.
With this in the summer the task for Los Blancos was obvious: finding a replacement for their talisman. However either through their reluctance to spend or because of the inflated player prices in the current transfer market, Madrid failed even to make a telling signing during the summer.
Neymar was reportedly a high priority target as well as Paris Saint-Germain teammate and teenage wonder Kylian Mbappe, but considering they both cost PSG a whopping combined € 400 million signing either one of them looked to be too much of a reach for Los Blancos.
With events currently unfolding as they are, next summer will be crucial for Real Madrid and they will need to make a statement by landing at least two big name signings to replace what they lost with Ronaldo's departure.
HARRY KANE
One thing that's become obvious for Madrid with Ronaldo's departure is the need for goals in their team and as far as goal scorers go very few are better than English forward and Tottenham man Harry Kane.
Aged 25 the Spurs forward has already tallied 113 goals in the Premier League in just 162 appearances and when looking for someone to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, Kane fits the bill and given enough time could reach the former Real star's level of goal scoring prowess.
However, given his age, his importance to Spurs and of course being English, Kane's signature will surely require huge sums of money.
MAURO ICARDI
Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi has been one of the most prolific forwards in Serie A over the last few seasons.
Icardi has shown good scoring pedigree scoring a total of 119 goals so far in his career and has been at work on improving that record this season.
The Argentine has started the season off well with six goals in just nine appearances and would be a welcome addition to Madrid's efforts to get back on top.
EDINSON CAVANI
Uruguayan sharpshooter Edinson Cavani has made his name on his reputation of finding the back of the net with consistency having scored a total of 260 goals so far in his career.
Last season he scored a total of 40 goals for French champions PSG and Madrid should be aware of recent news that Cavani is open to leaving Le Persiens after reportedly refusing to sign a contract extension.
Even at 32 he could be exactly what Madrid need at this point in time.
EDEN HAZARD
For a team like Madrid who are currently lacking in inspiration someone like Hazard, and anyone of the aforementioned players, could be exactly what they need to take them back to the big time.
The Belgian has scored seven goals this season and considering that he brings more than just goals to the team, the Bernebeu looks to be the best place for him right now.
Even though Chelsea slapped a hands off transfer fee (£ 200 million) the odds are high that Hazard will be in white next season as he hasn't been shy about expressing his interest in moving to the Spanish capital.
What's also working in his favour is that at the end of this season he will be in the final year of his contract with Chelsea which will make it easier for Madrid and they won't have to pay the £ 200 million fee the Blues want unless he extends his current contract.
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