Real Madrid are not having a terrible season. They sit just four points behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga and have reached the Champions League round of 16 despite a tough group stage. Yes, they sacked Xabi Alonso and face uncertainty in the dugout, but trophies are still very much within reach.
Yet for all their attacking talent and defensive flashes, one problem stands out: Real Madrid do not have a truly elite central midfielder. Historically, the club relied on a midfield anchor to control games. The Kroos-Modric-Casemiro era offered perfect balance. Over the past two seasons, however, that stability has been missing. Developing world-class midfielders is possible, but at a club that demands instant results, the simplest solution is to buy one.
Enter Rodri. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, whose contract at Manchester City is running down, is reportedly on Madrid’s radar. He would fill the midfield void perfectly, whether this summer or next. Rodri’s presence would allow Madrid to regain control in both attack and defence, providing the tempo-setting, defensive cover, and tactical intelligence the team currently lacks.
At present, Aurelien Tchouameni is Madrid’s only deep-lying midfielder. He performs admirably, but his lack of pace and line-breaking passing often leaves the team exposed. The former Monaco man struggles to control the centre alone, and Madrid’s possession suffers without a true playmaker behind the forwards.
The problem has been obvious since Toni Kroos left. Kroos’ final season in 2024 was sublime, guiding Madrid to a Champions League-La Liga double. Federico Valverde was handed the No.8 shirt, but he is more of a box-to-box midfielder than a defensive anchor, and Modric could not fill Kroos’ role consistently. Attempts to sign Martin Zubimendi in 2025 failed, leaving a critical gap in the squad.
Rodri offers a ready-made solution. Since 2019, he has been Pep Guardiola’s midfield linchpin at Manchester City, winning four Premier League titles and a Champions League. He combines defensive solidity, elite passing, and a capacity to control games, while also contributing goals and assists. Standing 6’3” with excellent mobility, he can track back, win tackles, and dominate aerial duels. If Busquets defined the modern regista, Rodri is the next-generation version.
For Madrid, signing Rodri is more than just strengthening the squad. It is about restoring balance, control, and authority in the centre of the park. With him, Los Blancos could reclaim the midfield dominance that has defined their most successful teams and finally solve the problem that has limited their consistency in 2025-26.
