Rodrygo's too good to be a spare part

Rodrygo's exceptional talent may lead to him being overlooked at Real Madrid once Kylian Mbappe and Endrick join the squad, making a departure from the club a viable option.

The Brazil forward faces the possibility of being sidelined as Real Madrid gears up to overhaul their attacking options this summer. On March 31, the Santiago Bernabeu crowd eagerly awaited the return of Jude Bellingham, their star midfielder, who had been absent due to suspension and international duties.

However, it was Rodrygo, another Madrid player, who stole the show with a spectacular performance, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win against Athletic Club. While this showcased Rodrygo's immense skill and importance to the team, there's a lingering feeling that his time at Madrid may be coming to an end.

The anticipated signing of Kylian Mbappe this summer is expected to trigger significant shifts in Real Madrid's setup, potentially making it challenging for Rodrygo, who is 23 years old and poised for stardom, to secure a consistent spot in the starting lineup. Consequently, it could be prudent for the Brazilian to contemplate his future at the Bernabeu.

Rodrygo Season so far

Heading into the Athletic match, Rodrygo appeared to be experiencing a downturn in his season. Despite several exciting moments earlier in the campaign, the Brazilian had gone without scoring for 465 minutes of football, enduring a seven-game goalless streak despite registering nine shots on target during that period.

However, despite this dry spell, statistical analysis indicates that Rodrygo is enjoying his most successful season yet at Real Madrid. He has scored 15 goals and provided eight assists across all competitions, putting him on track to surpass last season's totals of 18 goals and 11 assists. Additionally, his goals per 90 minutes ratio has improved compared to last season, despite receiving more playing time under manager Carlo Ancelotti.

While not flawless, as evidenced by his recent goal drought and occasional periods of inconsistency, particularly when deployed on the right-wing, Ancelotti has expressed his confidence in the talented forward. Ancelotti emphasized that consistent goal-scoring is a trait found only in a few exceptional strikers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and he believes that with experience, Rodrygo will improve in this aspect.

Mixed Madrid career

Consistency is pivotal for Rodrygo to progress to the next level. His tenure at Real Madrid has been characterized by periods of prolific goal-scoring and assisting interspersed with less productive spells.
His limited playing time has been a contributing factor. Last season, Ancelotti didn't consistently include Rodrygo in the starting lineup, with Federico Valverde often occupying minutes on the right side of the forward line, and Benzema's presence making it challenging for Rodrygo to secure a central role. Despite making 25 league starts, he never enjoyed a sustained run in the team.

Complications arose due to public disagreements with Ancelotti. In 2023, Rodrygo expressed dissatisfaction, stating that he felt misused by the manager, particularly regarding his preferred position behind Benzema in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which Ancelotti rarely employed. This frustration escalated in January 2023 when Rodrygo ignored Ancelotti after being substituted in a Copa del Rey match against Villarreal.

However, when given the opportunity, Rodrygo has demonstrated his value to the team through crucial contributions in significant matches, such as in the Champions League and Club World Cup final, where he boasts an impressive goal or assist every 89 minutes. Despite these impactful moments, it wasn't until this season that he seemed to truly find his rhythm.

Tactical conundrum

There's a lingering feeling that Rodrygo hasn't quite found his optimal position while playing for Real Madrid. His insistence on not being a central striker is supported by his lack of goal-scoring success in that role (with more goals coming from the right-wing). However, Ancelotti's decision to utilize him as one of two split strikers has enabled Rodrygo to be more involved in the build-up play.
Nowadays, Rodrygo can often be seen drifting into his preferred central areas to link up with players like Vinicius Jr and Bellingham. Yet, his recent performances for Brazil, where he was given more freedom to drop deeper into a false nine role, showcase his potential at his finest. With the Selecao, he has the liberty to receive the ball between the midfield and defensive lines, orchestrate play, and take on defenders.

Unfortunately for Rodrygo, the position he excels in is currently occupied by Bellingham in the Real Madrid team. As long as the English international remains in Spain, that role will likely remain unavailable to Rodrygo.

Too many top-class attackers

The window of opportunity for Rodrygo to make a significant impact at Real Madrid seems to be closing even further. The long-standing rumors linking Mbappe with a move to Madrid appear to be gaining momentum, with strong indications suggesting that the transfer could happen imminently.

Rodrygo himself hinted at Mbappe's impending arrival, stating after the win against Athletic Club, "I don't know about Mbappe yet. I think it's close because everyone says it."
Although Mbappe's transfer would involve no fee and the player is willing to join, his arrival would pose challenges for Real Madrid. It would require a significant financial commitment from the club and accommodate certain demands from Mbappe, including tactical freedom and the role of the team's starting No. 9.

This situation presents a tactical dilemma for Ancelotti. Real Madrid has been performing well with their current 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Rodrygo and Vinicius forming a strong partnership through the middle, supported by Bellingham's exceptional performances.

However, accommodating Mbappe may require a tactical reevaluation.
Ancelotti could opt to maintain the current system by utilizing Vinicius and Mbappe as split strikers. Alternatively, reverting to a 4-3-3 formation is possible, although Rodrygo's starting position wouldn't be guaranteed, with Valverde also vying for a spot on the right flank.

Furthermore, the arrival of Endrick from Palmeiras in the summer adds another layer of competition. While he may not immediately secure a starting position, a strong preseason performance could propel him into contention for first-team opportunities, potentially leaving Rodrygo on the fringes.

Time to move on

The imminent arrival of Mbappe is likely to push Rodrygo further down the pecking order at Real Madrid, despite Ancelotti's continued faith in him. While Ancelotti has expressed confidence in Rodrygo's abilities, the prospect of limited opportunities in his preferred position could prompt Rodrygo to consider his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Competition for places can be beneficial for top clubs, but Rodrygo's talent may place him above the struggle for minutes in the demanding environment of Real Madrid. While leaving would not be easy, it could be the best decision for a player with significant potential.

There have been consistent rumors linking Rodrygo with other clubs over the past two years, including Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Liverpool. However, any potential deal would likely be complex due to Rodrygo's high wages and Real Madrid's valuation of him.

Despite the speculation, Rodrygo has stated that he is not actively seeking a move away. He sees the arrival of Mbappe as a positive challenge and has expressed his willingness to play alongside him. Additionally, he has previously stated his commitment to Real Madrid, indicating that he is not currently seeking an exit.