Analysis: 22 players – enough for Real Madrid to survive in six competitions next season?

It was an excellent summer transfer window for Real Madrid, especially as they finally managed to secure the signature of Kylian Mbappe after a six-year wait. Endrick Felipe has also arrived, and both players will play a significant role in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Real Madrid had also hoped to sign Leny Yoro, but last week, they failed to officially secure his signature. Despite Los Blancos being his first choice, Yoro opted to sign for Manchester United, who had accepted a €70m bid from Lille – unsurprising given he only had a year left on his contract.

There have also been significant expenses in recent weeks. Toni Kroos (retired) and Nacho Fernandez (Al-Qadsiah) both left at the end of their contracts, while Joselu Mato headed to Qatar for the next stage of his career. Rafa Marin, who had been a possible candidate to replace Nacho in the first team, was sold to Napoli for 12 million euros.

Kepa Arrizabalaga also returned to Chelsea at the end of his loan, and all these departures mean that Real Madrid have just 22 first-team players for next season. In addition, I am unlikely to add to this number. Kepa is likely to return if Andriy Lunin is sold, but that will not increase the size of the team.

It should be remembered that Real Madrid plays in six competitions during the coming season: La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercup, UEFA Super Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup. More than 70 games could end up being played by Ancelotti's charges, and with the injuries that are also likely to conflict, it is a big risk to have such a small team.

Central defense is the obvious place where Real Madrid can make an addition. Currently, they have four senior options: Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, David Alaba (who is injured until October/November) and Jesus Vallejo (who has barely played for the last year on loan at relegated Granada). Aurelien Tchouameni can also be used here, but it is not a position where he is comfortable.

Real Madrid would only consider a centre-back signing if a low-cost market opportunity presented itself, but chances are one will definitely be needed. They certainly need to get very lucky with injuries (something that didn't happen last season) to survive with the size of the current squad.

It is understandable for Florentino Perez not to be reactive to Yoro's snub, but it is a big risk to leave Ancelotti with so few options for next season. Just because it worked overall during the 2023-24 campaign, doesn't mean the Lightning will do it twice for Real Madrid.