With just weeks remaining before the start of the new season, Real Madrid are desperately looking for a new defensive midfielder.
It appears coach Jose Mourinho believes the club lacks someone who can control the play in the middle of the park with precision, much like how Toni Kroos used to.
Real Madrid were close to signing Rodri to fix that problem. But after the Spaniard decided to join Barcelona, the club are looking forward in-house options.
Bernardo Silva makes an impression
As reported by AS, Mourinho may have found his solution in Bernardo Silva, who impressed on his first start for the club against Deportivo La Coruna.
Can Bernardo Silva fulfill the role of a number six? (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
Faced with a shortage of central midfielders, Mourinho opted to deploy the Portuguese in a double pivot alongside Eduardo Camavinga.
Bernardo took to the role seamlessly in the first half, completing all 40 of his passes, making three recoveries and not losing possession once.
While the performance was not spectacular, it was highly effective. Bernardo maintained control of possession throughout and used his intelligent passing to initiate Real Madrid’s attacks, exactly the kind of composed presence the side has lacked in that area.
In the second half, Mourinho switched to a 4-4-2, moving Bernardo out to the left flank, where he became more involved and ventured closer to the opposition box.
A candidate to stay in the role
Real Madrid’s new holding midfielder. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The coaching staff view Bernardo as a genuine option for the double pivot on a permanent basis, particularly given Real Madrid do not intend to enter the market for that type of player.
Only if an offer arrives for Camavinga, and the player agrees to leave, would the club consider a new signing.
As things stand, with Rodri in talks with Barcelona instead, Bernardo has emerged as one of the best options to anchor the 4-2-3-1 formation Mourinho is planning.
The versatility Bernardo offers is a major bonus, and he is far from the only candidate for those deeper roles. Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch and even Arda Guler are all capable of partnering him in midfield.