The transfer of Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid has been finalized. Now, Ancelotti must figure out how to integrate Mbappe into a team that recently won La Liga and the Champions League.
The Real Madrid coaching staff has been aware of Mbappe’s potential arrival since February 2024. The straightforward view within the royal club is that signing Mbappe is a must. However, this necessitates some tough decisions—decisions that could upset what seems like perfect balance, especially in the team’s attacking line, which clinched the Champions League title.
It’s unlikely that Mbappe would accept a substitute role at Real Madrid. Photo: Getty
Ancelotti’s preferred formation in the past season only accommodated two forwards in the attack. However, next season, Real Madrid has a handful of forwards: Endrick, Joselu, Arda Guler, and Brahim Diaz—but these are only substitutes.
So, what does the future hold for Real Madrid’s attacking players? And can Ancelotti rebalance his winning formula?
Midfielder Bellingham has been given a more attacking role at Real Madrid than anticipated. He has excelled in this, leading the team in the first half of the season and ending as the second-highest goal scorer for the team with 23 goals (Vinicius Jr scored 24) across all competitions.
Before welcoming Mbappe, Bellingham shared: “I think I perform best when given freedom on the pitch. Playing as a number 10 allows me to move freely everywhere, meaning I can venture deeper into the box, be more creative, and play as a sharpshooter.”
Under Ancelotti’s freedom, Bellingham can move flexibly among the forwards. This is most evident when Real Madrid plays in a 4-4-2 formation, with Bellingham given the freedom to advance when the team has possession. If Ancelotti continues this approach, Mbappe would replace Rodrygo upfront alongside Vinicius Jr, while Bellingham’s role would remain relatively unchanged.
“The closer Bellingham gets to the opponent’s goal, the better for us,” Ancelotti said about the English player after Real Madrid’s final La Liga match of the 2023-2024 season against Real Betis at home.
However, if/when Ancelotti fields Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Rodrygo together, it is expected that Bellingham’s role would revert to his old position at Dortmund, closer to the central midfield. Ultimately, Bellingham may lose some of his “freedom” if Ancelotti feels the need to bolster defensive duties, but there is still room for him to play as an attacking midfielder, especially with Toni Kroos no longer organizing the midfield.
So what’s in store for Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo?
The 2023-2024 season was Vinicius Jr’s highest-scoring season at Real Madrid, with 24 goals in 39 matches (he missed 17 matches due to two injuries). At first glance, Real Madrid’s top goal scorer seems to be most threatened by Mbappe’s arrival, as both tend to favor playing on the left wing.
Rodrygo ended the past season with 17 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions—the third-highest goal scorer for Real Madrid in the 2023-2024 season. His standout moments were in the Champions League semifinals against Manchester City, where he played on the left, scored two goals, and frequently disrupted Guardiola’s defensive line.
Rodrygo is considered the player most likely to be impacted by his club’s signing of Mbappe, which is not easy for a regular starter at Real Madrid (only Federico Valverde and Antonio Rudiger played more than Rodrygo’s 3,706 minutes in the past season). Rodrygo is unlikely to compete for the center forward position against Vinicius Jr and Mbappe. However, if Ancelotti opts for a 3-forward formation, Rodrygo will continue to play on the right wing.
Perhaps the most notable statement from Rodrygo upon Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid is: “When I feel I’m no longer important, perhaps it’s time for me to look elsewhere, but I don’t think that’s what’s happening right now.” Currently, Rodrygo asserts his desire to be part of the “big project” planned for the next season, and he has a contract until 2028. However, during Florentino Perez’s tenure as president, Real Madrid has often been ruthless in selling players considered indispensable, whether they want to leave or not, as seen with Angel Di Maria (in 2014) and Mesut Ozil (in 2013)…
With Endrick able to play as a center forward like Mbappe (if he adjusts to the role), Joselu’s playing opportunities are almost non-existent. However, Ancelotti has confirmed Joselu’s role, offering him more opportunities to impact games from the bench, especially in easier La Liga or Copa del Rey matches.