Why Lucas Silva Is the Real Madrid Player with Most to Prove in Pre-Season

It was a familiar scene. In the presidential box at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez stood behind the microphone proudly welcoming a new face to the club, the mood warm and fuzzy, the statements grand and complimentary. 

"Your spirit, dedication and enthusiasm will make us even stronger," Perez said, directly addressing Lucas Silva. "You have come to our club today because we are convinced you are a player capable of dealing with the highest level of expectations."

The president then addressed those in attendance: "I remind everyone that Lucas Silva's personality and talent meant that he was chosen as the best defensive midfielder in the domestic league in his country." The Brazilian then responded in the customary manner, declaring his move to Chamartin "a dream come true," his intention "to learn" and "to help."

That was in January.

But at Real Madrid, moods swing, time flies and circumstances change—in a hurry. By the end of March, Silva had made just four starts with Los Blancos and had been little more than a peripheral figure at the Bernabeu. Rumours spread of a possible exit, with the Brazilian linked with a loan move to Porto. In an interview with Globo Esporte (h/t Goal), he was quizzed on the speculation but insisted his long-term future was in Madrid.  

"I was astonished with the news about a potential loan move to Porto. I have not heard anything about it," Silva said. "I have a contract with Real Madrid, and I want to fulfil it."

But then he added: "A loan move could be a good option."

Paul White/Associated Press

Sixty-four days: That's how long it had taken Silva to reach that conclusion—64 days from the day of his presentation to begin thinking about playing time elsewhere. From that point onward, he saw just 54 minutes of action in the remainder of 2014-15 and was an unused substitute eight times in 10 matches. On the league's final day, as Carlo Ancelotti awarded game time to Alvaro Arbeloa, Asier Illarramendi, Javier Hernandez, Jese, Nacho and Martin Odegaard, Silva remained in his seat, perhaps wondering why he'd come. 

Yet here's the thing: It's not his fault. History has shown that when Real Madrid come knocking, they're hard to turn down, with Silva following a long line of players who've ventured to the Spanish capital with high hopes but few certainties. But the 22-year-old has become a victim of his president's whimsical transfer adventures. Perez had sought, as he described him, Brazil's "best defensive midfielder" but did so following a tangled mess of comings and goings at that very position. 

In June 2013, Perez signed Casemiro. The following month, he signed Illarramendi. Two 20-something defensive midfielders. You'd think that would sort it, but it didn't. Last summer, Perez signed Toni Kroos, loaned out Casemiro and sold Xabi Alonso, later signing Silva in January and recalling Casemiro earlier this month. It was a manager's nightmare. 

Silva, therefore, has become almost anonymous at the Bernabeu due to the bizarre and muddled thinking of his president, all of it based on impulses and carried out with little regard for logic, continuity or cohesion. 

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Thus pre-season carries heightened significance for the former Cruzeiro star, with a new manager and a new season to prepare for giving him an opportunity, but one he can't afford to miss. 

Positively, Silva can look to Rafa Benitez's management for encouragement. Real Madrid's new boss is a fanatical tactician, a defensive organiser. He fusses over details, plans intensely for specific opponents and strives at all costs to maintain systematic balance.

It means the 2015-16 season at the Bernabeu is unlikely to consistently feature a midfield of silk but little steel. Whereas Ancelotti opted for Kroos, James Rodriguez, Luka Modric and Isco, Benitez is likely to want a genuine central anchor. That might be Casemiro. It might be Illarramendi. It could be Silva. The Brazilian's task is to rise above such rivals. But the challenge might also go beyond current members of Real Madrid's squad. 

According to AS, Benitez is interested in Monaco's Geoffrey Kondogbia and Lazio's Lucas Biglia. Juventus' Paul Pogba also remains a long-term target. All would represent further obstacles for Silva, as pre-season is now the time for him to rebel against his slip toward anonymity, the situation his president has landed him in.