This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Luka Modric has been a crucial part of Real Madrid’s squad for quite some time now. But it seems that Los Blancos are preparing for a potential goodbye in the not so distant future, if the reports coming from fichajes.net (via Calciomercato) are anything to go by.
The report claims that Modric could be on his way out of the club in June 2020, and the likes of Donny van de Beek, Christian Eriksen and Paul Pogba are detailed as potential replacements.
Even if that were to happen, Zinedine Zidane shouldn’t be too worried.
On the chalkboard
The 34-year-old Ballon d’Or winner is one of Real Madrid’s key players.
Even though this season he’s had a smaller role in the team’s ventures due to some injury issues, Modric is still a big presence in the squad.
Last season, the midfield maestro ended up playing 48 games across all competitions for the Galacticos, scoring four goals and assisting further eight under his belt in the process.
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And despite Zidane’s troops not having the best of years in terms of silverware, seeing how they only managed to secure the Club World Cup trophy, Modric was still the heartbeat of the team, as he usually is.
But since he is 34 years old now, time is slowly but surely catching up and these reports of his potential departure don’t really come as a surprise anymore.
The best thing, however, is the fact that even if he were to leave, Real Madrid have more than enough firepower to weather that storm.
Changing of the guard
Looking strictly at Real Madrid’s squad, they definitely seem set for the near future.
Modric is undoubtedly a big and central figure of Zidane’s team but seeing how there are many young, up and coming stars waiting to take over the mantle, the 34-year-old’s potential departure is not something Los Blancos should be dreading.
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The recent resurgence of Federico Valverde, who made another statement to the club with his display in the Champions League last month, and the unbelievable strike-force they have on loan is reason enough to be quite optimistic.
Martin Odegaard, Dani Ceballos and Takefusa Kubo are just some of the names that are bound to light up the Santiago Bernabeu once they make their returns to the Spanish capital.
But even if we disregard that, Toni Kroos is also ready to assume the role of a leader in an event of Modric’s potential departure.
The German is still just 28 years old and his displays are proof enough he has what it takes.
We also shouldn’t forget James Rodriguez, another returning ace who’s looking to finally make it at the club, and players like Isco and Marco Asensio, who also might have a say in the matter.
All things considered, Real Madrid look well covered and prepared for the moment Modric calls it a day.
The changing of the guard is inevitable but the Galacticos are more than ready to embrace it.