Real Madrid’s Dilemma: Jude Bellingham or Josko Gvardiol for their Future?
Real Madrid is one of the biggest football clubs in the world and is known for its history of signing the best players from around the globe. Recently, the club has been linked with two young players who have been making waves in their respective leagues: Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund and Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. Both players are highly rated and would command a significant transfer fee, with both being valued at over €100 million. With that in mind, the question arises: if Real Madrid were to sign one of these players, who would be the better choice?
Jude Bellingham is just 19 years old, but he has already showcased his exceptional talent on some of the biggest stages in football. He has impressed in the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Bundesliga. Bellingham is an intelligent player who is able to read the game well, interpret space, and progress the ball forward with penetrating passes or runs. These are some of his best attributes, and they make him a phenomenal talent.
As with any young player, there are areas of Bellingham’s game that still need improvement. His pass selection can be questionable at times, and his positional awareness could use some work. However, these weaknesses are far outweighed by his strengths. Real Madrid seems to believe that he is the right midfielder to continue their rebuild and is rumored to be working tirelessly to sign him.
Josko Gvardiol, on the other hand, is a 21-year-old centre-back who burst onto the scene last season. RB Leipzig signed him from Dinamo Zagreb in 2020, and his performances for club and country since then have put him on the radar of some of Europe’s top clubs. Gvardiol is a composed player in possession who always looks for a progressive pass, showing that he can adapt to a more possession-based system. He also combines his technical ability with aggression and tenacity, making him a strong defender.
Whether Real Madrid should prioritize signing Bellingham or Gvardiol may depend on the outgoings in the summer. For example, if the club renews Nacho Fernandez’s contract, then their center-back options would be David Alaba, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and the 33-year-old Spaniard. These are four experienced defenders who have shown their quality, adaptability, and maturity over their careers. In that instance, signing Gvardiol might not be a priority. Similarly, if Luka Modric and Toni Kroos get contract renewals, then signing Bellingham may not be a necessity.
However, in the scenario where Nacho, and either Kroos or Modric leave the club, the question becomes even more relevant: who would be the better signing for Real Madrid? In our opinion, it would be Bellingham. His ceiling is higher than Gvardiol’s, and his presence at another top European club could be detrimental to Real Madrid’s future Champions League aspirations. While one player cannot determine a club’s destiny, one player can certainly bolster the trajectory of their present and future.
In conclusion, both Jude Bellingham and Josko Gvardiol are talented young players who would be valuable additions to any team. However, if Real Madrid had to choose between the two, Bellingham would be the better choice. His ability on the ball, intelligence off the ball, and potential for growth make him a player who could help shape the club’s future for years to come.
