Real Madrid Transfer Rumours: Top 8 Replacements for Kaka

Kaká has failed to live up to his €65 million transfer fee at Real Madrid, and the club would be better off finding a replacement.

His situation is similar to Barcelona spending €40.6 million on Marc Overmars. Like Overmars, Kaká has become a role player, instead of the star player he is expected to be. 

If a club submits a €30-40 million bid for Kaká, Real Madrid should cut their losses and accept the bid. 

Here are the top eight possible replacements for Kaká. 

8. Julian Draxler, Schalke, Left Attacking Midfielder, Age: 18

Since scoring that epic winning goal against Nuremberg, Julian Draxler has started the majority of games as a wide-attacking midfielder. 

He routinely dinks his way past opposing players but needs to work on his productivity.

Mind you, he is still a kid, but he has world-class potential.  

If Mario Götze can make the transition from wunderkind to world-class footballer, then so can Draxler. 

7. Roberto Firmino, Hoffenheim, Attacking Midfielder, Age: 20

Roberto Firmino reminds me of Djalminha. 

Djalminha would attempt freestyle skills during games, and that's what Firmino does. 

Firmino's dribbling is up there with the best, but he has failed to show up in the big games. He gave up on his team as they were humiliated 7-1 by Bayern Munich. 

However, I love his work ethic, as he has completed 91 tackles and intercepted the ball 45 times. 

6. Stevan Jovetić, Fiorentina, Deep-Lying Forward, Age: 22

I feared for Stevan Jovetić's career when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury. 

Judging by this season, it has made him a stronger person as he carried Fiorentina on his back. There was a point where the Viola looked headed for the drop again, until Jovetić came up big. 

He was impressive as he led Fiorentina to a 2-1 win over AC Milan. Against Udinese, he overcame his nerves to convert two crucial penalties for a 3-2 win. 

During some games, opposing teams doubled-teamed Jovetić, knowing his teammates,  like Adem Ljajić and Amauri, didn't have the capability to score.

Ljajić and Amauri should be candidates for the next Bidone d'oro. 

5. Gastón Ramírez, Bologna, Attacking Midfielder, Age: 21

The last time Bologna were milking a cash cow was in 1967, when they sold Harald Nielsen to Inter Milan for a then-world-record transfer fee of £300,000. 

Forty-five years later, Bologna have a technically proficient Uruguayan by the name of Gastón Ramírez. 

He tormented Daniele Capelli in a 3-1 win over Atalanta. Ramírez stood toe-to-toe with Antonio Conte's great Juventus side. 

The 21-year-old made sure AC Milan knew his name by scoring against them. 

4. Younès Belhanda, Montpellier, Attacking Midfielder, Age: 22

Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin said: "In one year we will not speak of Eden Hazard. We will have another name in our mouth: Belhanda."

Younès Belhanda is just as skilled as Hazard but lacks the productivity. 

The ability is there, but it's up to the Moroccan to become more efficient. 

Belhanda shouldn't be contempt with being Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year—he needs to do more.

You look at Mamadou Sakho, last year's Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, who rested on his laurels this season. Will Belhanda do the same, or will he continue to progress?

3. Isco, Málaga, Attacking Midfielder, Age: 20

Isco has so much potential. 

For a 20-year-old, he understands the game as a seasoned professional because he rarely gives up possession.  He has completed 86.6 percent of his passes, 62 of 76 long passes, and he has created 62 shots. 

He has drawn 77 free kicks because of his nimble feet. 

He knows how to tackle because he averages two tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, but he needs to relax a bit. 

In a 2-1 win over Sevilla, his dangerous tackle on Álvaro Negredo was uncalled for. Isco got himself sent off again in a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijón. 

I guess a good question would be: Is he better than Iker Muniain right now?

Absolutely.

Who will be the better player going forward, though? I would say Isco, but I'm concerned with his discipline. 

2. Erik Lamela, Roma, Attacking Midfielder, Age: 20

When River Plate were relegated, I implored European clubs to poach Erik Lamela. 

Roma took a calculated risk by signing Lamela, and he has exceeded expectations in his first European season. 

His former teammate Roberto Pereyra has been a bit-part player at Udinese, whilst Lamela has performed in most of the games. 

I don't like him starting as a right-sided forward because he can accomplish more as an attacking midfielder. 

Watch this space. 

1. Lucas Moura, São Paulo, Attacking Midfielder, Age: 19

There's so much upside with Lucas Moura. 

When you have someone with his incisive dribbling ability, it's only logical to play him out wide. So he'll probably be a wide attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1—which is in the in-vogue formation in European football right now. 

I hope he isn't all hype, as was the case with another São Paulo highlight reel dribbler.

Do you know who I'm referring to? 

Denílson, who cost Real Betis €27.3 million in 1998, a then-world record transfer fee. 

He struggled with the expectations of being a world-class player week in, week out. He was given so many chances but he blew the large majority of them. 

This picture of Denílson accurately sums up the way he, his supporters and the people who invested in him feel about his career. 

Hopefully Lucas will justify the hype surrounding him. 

Please read What City Need to Know About Hazard. 

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com.