Real Madrid
Where Real Madrid Could Strengthen Midfield This Summer
Real Madrid assess midfield targets this summer, from established stars to emerging talents. Reports
Real Madrid’s central midfield has been a recurring problem for two seasons. The club has not found a reliable replacement able to replicate the control once provided by Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, and the squad lacks a clear deep-lying organiser.
Vitinha remains the dream signing. Identified earlier this year as a dream signing for Real Madrid, Vitinha is just about the best in the world in his position and would be an ideal candidate to finally replace Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić. However, the 26-year-old Portugal international also has a contract at back-to-back Champions League finalists PSG until 2029 and is unlikely to push for a move from the world’s best team. This one remains a pipe dream. Likelihood: 1/10
Nicolò Barella is a proven operator but may have missed the window. Long considered one of the better midfielders around, Barella turns 30 next year and is under contract at Inter Milan until 2029, making him a costly option for his age despite his obvious qualities. Only two players have more assists in Serie A this season than Barella’s eight. Likelihood: 3/10
Adam Wharton emerged strongly after his move from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace in 2023–24. He earned a place in England’s Euro 2024 roster, played a major role in Palace’s FA Cup success last season and has been critical to their Conference League final run this term. A technically gifted deep lying midfielder with good ball progression stats, Wharton bears obvious similarities to Kroos and Modrić. He is untested at the highest level and would be typically expensive; the pressure of the price tag and comparisons to predecessors might make this an unwise move. Likelihood: 4/10
Enzo Fernández looks more attainable as Chelsea face instability. The World Cup-winning midfielder has faced an internal suspension after deigning to comment on Madrid, while there is talk Chelsea might be open to a summer sale. Fernández, who was signed for a then-British transfer record fee in 2023, would not come cheap. Likelihood: 4.5/10
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is widely viewed as an ideal signing: a proven winner who can control midfield with grit and guile, and a model of professionalism. There is hope at the Bernabéu that Rodri will look to move from Manchester City this summer, a year ahead of his contract expiry in 2027. Reports suggest he could still sign an extension, he turns 30 in June, and there are question marks after last season’s ACL injury. Likelihood: 5/10
Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City this summer as a free agent after nine seasons, six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one treble. The 31-year-old offers versatility, tenacity and technical quality, and is unlikely to demand a weekly starting berth. Reports say Jorge Mendes has offered his client’s services to both Madrid and Barcelona already. Likelihood: 6/10
Finally, Tijjani Smit is one of Europe’s top young prospects. Touted as one of the best young players in European soccer, Smit made his senior Netherlands debut in March after dominating the Under-19 European Championships as top scorer and Player of the Tournament last summer. Typically used in a deep-lying role for AZ Alkmaar and likened in style to Barça’s Pedri, former Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart has previously said that Smit “will undoubtedly end up at Real Madrid or one of the biggest clubs in the world.” Some reports say he could move for as little as €40 million ($47 million); one hitch could be that he is a reported boyhood Barcelona fan. Likelihood: 7/10
Chelsea
Alonso’s arrival at Chelsea brings three immediate concerns
Alonso arrives at Chelsea carrying tactical risks, strained relationships and questions in big games.
Chelsea have confirmed Xabi Alonso as their new head coach at Stamford Bridge, replacing Liam Rosenior from next season as the club seeks recovery from a difficult campaign. Sitting ninth in the Premier League and facing the risk of missing European competition, Chelsea have placed significant short-term expectations on their incoming manager.
Alonso arrives with an outstanding reputation for tactical thought, but his recent record contains three clear warning signs. First, several of his tactical experiments at Real Madrid produced damaging results. He started Vinicius Junior on the right wing in the Club World Cup semifinals against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid lost 4–0. He reinstated a recently recovered Jude Bellingham in the first Madrid derby of the season at the Metropolitano and Madrid lost 5–2. Alonso also selected Fran García at left wing against Elche and Real Madrid were held to a 2–2 draw.
Second, Alonso’s time at the Bernabéu featured notable breakdowns in relationships with key players. Vinicius Jr infamously lost his head when Alonso replaced him in the first Clásico of the season. Vinicius Jr issued a public apology without including Alonso. The manager then said the fans were “free to express their opinion” about the Brazilian after he was booed at the Bernabéu. Reports emerged that Vinicius Jr would not sign a new contract while Alonso was in charge. Alonso also preferred Dani Carvajal to Trent Alexander-Arnold, benching Alexander-Arnold or limiting his minutes rather than allowing the ex-Liverpool star to settle in.
Third, Alonso’s record in decisive fixtures has been mixed. His Bayer Leverkusen side produced a historic undefeated Bundesliga title after a season that began near the drop zone, but then lost the Europa League final 3–0 to Atalanta. In 2024–25 Leverkusen progressed from the Champions League group stage but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Bayern Munich, failing to score across two legs in a 5–0 aggregate defeat.
Those are the challenges Chelsea must weigh as Alonso prepares to take charge next season.
Barcelona
Who Has Won the Most League Titles in Europe’s Big Five?
Five players have reached 13 league titles across Europe’s top five leagues; Lewandowski joined them
Winning a title in one of Europe’s top five leagues is rare. Even rarer is the company of players who have accumulated double-digit league winners’ medals across the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga.
Only five players in European history have reached a total of 13 league titles, with Robert Lewandowski the latest to join that group. The Polish striker won La Liga for a third time with Barcelona in 2025–26, adding to his eight Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and two more Meisterschalen with Borussia Dortmund.
Two former Bayern teammates, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller, complete the group who each have 13 league crowns. Müller and Neuer won all 13 of their league titles with the Bavarian giants. Kingsley Coman also sits on 13: he collected nine Bundesliga crowns with Bayern, alongside two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain and two Serie A triumphs with Juventus. Ryan Giggs provides English representation in the 13-title list, having won 13 Premier League titles during his remarkable 21-year spell with Manchester United.
Three players have reached 12 league titles. Lionel Messi won 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona before adding two Ligue 1 crowns with PSG. Paco Gento is listed on 12 titles for Real Madrid. David Alaba lifted 10 Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich before adding two La Liga triumphs with Real Madrid.
A further four players have won 11 league titles across Europe’s top tiers. Those names include Thiago Alcântara (Barcelona, Bayern Munich), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, PSG), Arjen Robben (Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich) and Paul Scholes.
This tally highlights how a small group of players have combined longevity and success at dominant clubs to assemble exceptional league records across Europe’s five leading competitions.
Premier League
Mbappé’s Real Madrid Rift and the Six Clubs Linked as Potential Options
Mbappé says he is “fourth-choice”, deepening a Real Madrid rift and prompting transfer speculation..
Kylian Mbappé’s recent public comments have intensified speculation about his future at Real Madrid. The forward declared he is “fourth-choice” at the club and suggested the team lost its playing style and structure in the second half of the season. He also referred to his “great relationship” with Xabi Alonso.
After two seasons at the Bernabéu, Mbappé remains a complex figure at a club that long pursued him under Florentino Pérez. He is on course for back-to-back Pichichi trophies as La Liga’s top scorer, but he has yet to secure a major team honor for Madrid. The player’s goals have not erased questions around chemistry with the other attacking stars.
Tensions escalated this month following a controversial trip to Italy with his girlfriend Ester Expósito and reports of a training-ground bust-up with a member of Arbeloa’s coaching staff. On Thursday night he was substituted on in the second half to boos and whistles, and an online petition demanding his sale has gathered millions of signatures.
If Real Madrid were to consider a departure, six clubs have been suggested as plausible destinations in recent coverage. Paris Saint-Germain featured in that list after a previous long pursuit and a contract episode that made him the world’s highest-paid player. He left PSG two years later; PSG have since reached back-to-back Champions League finals and that era appears closed.
Liverpool was long touted as an option. The club will need attacking reinforcement with Mohamed Salah departing, and Hugo Ekitiké is unavailable while recovering from an Achilles injury. The finances required for Mbappé would likely be prohibitive for the 2024–25 Premier League champions, who spent heavily last summer and have other areas to address.
Manchester City could potentially absorb the wages but would need to break their transfer record and may prioritise midfield options. A swap involving Erling Haaland was mentioned as one possible structure. Chelsea could become more attractive should they appoint Xabi Alonso as manager; Mbappé and Alonso had a good relationship at the Bernabéu and Mbappé stayed ‘Team Xabi’ in the locker-room split. Chelsea’s finances are described as precarious, although co-owner Todd Boehly is viewed as opportunistic. London life may appeal more to Mbappé, but a lack of Champions League football would be a deterrent.
