Real Madrid the Big Winners If Sami Khedira Stays in January Transfer Window

Having been the recipient of Champions League and World Cup winners medals in the space of two months at the end of 2013-14 season, Sami Khedira should have been on top of the world and a standout first-choice for club and country.

The reality was a little different, as an injury-ravaged season meant he had not featured in large part for Real Madrid until the very back end of the campaign, while his time with Germany at Brazil 2014 saw him still getting up to match speed and miss the final itself.

Speculation has gone on since then that Khedira could be leaving the Spanish giants, but he has confirmed to Kicker (h/t Sky Sports) that he does not foresee a January transfer away from Real.

With his contract due to expire in the summer, it's not exactly a long-term guarantee of match time at the club, but it's a move—or a lack of a move—which suits both parties, certainly the club most of all.

Benefits to Khedira

It's not just last season's big knee injury which has meant Khedira has missed game time of late, with a thigh problem keeping him out of much of the past two months. He has amassed just 17 minutes on the pitch since the defeat at Real Sociedad in late August.

There is no doubting the quality levels of Khedira, but such long-term injuries can have a longer-lasting effect than simply the rehabilitation phase.

Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Were he to move on in January, he'd be expected to star, and immediately, for his new team. Staying put at Real gives him the chance to recover his form and fitness gradually, trying to win himself a place in the side and seeing what options he has come the end of the season and the end of his contract.

Of course, he is at Real Madrid, which has its own attractions, just as Khedira noted in his interview with Kicker.

"

Right now, I cannot see any reason why I would leave the club this winter. Real Madrid is a great club to be at. This club has a place in my heart and there is absolutely no reason for me to say that I want to or have to leave. I get the feeling I am still wanted (by coach Carlo Ancelotti).

"

If he gets himself back into the side, if he stays fit, if he decides he wants to see out his prime years at the club...there's every reason for them to give him a new contract and not too many leave Real of their own accord when they are still a part of the first-team scene.

"

Christoph Kramer wants to sign for RMadrid. The club is looking at him as a possible replacement for Khedira. [Marca] pic.twitter.com/mmCIsREQwM

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) November 10, 2014"

Why Real Win Most

Real Madrid are top of the league, having won 13 matches in a row in all competitions. They are playing well, scoring goals for fun and have switched around their tactics a little during that period, now playing with a compact 4-4-2, getting the most out of their key players, especially in attack.

The centre of midfield sees last year's big midfield talent, Luka Modric, paired with Real's summer acquisition, Toni Kroos. Between them they are forming a pairing which is both technically gifted and prodigious with their defensive work rate; not necessarily naturally defensively inclined, either of them, but both acknowledging the work and positioning which must be put in to allow their attacking talents to shine.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

It has also allowed them both to be in the same lineup and James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale...and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Otherwise, somewhere along the line, someone would have to miss out.

Even so, there have been matches—or spells within matches—when Carlo Ancelotti opts to revert to a three-man centre of midfield, invariably bringing on Asier Illarramendi to play the holding role in a 4-3-3.

Sami Khedira would, of course, be an expert proponent of that role once fit, while he would also smoothly take the place of either Modric or Kroos in the 4-4-2, able to both win the ball and distribute it well...if Ancelotti deemed it necessary to replace either.

"

Ancelotti: "Kroos and Modric will not play all season. Khedira is not Kroos & Illarra is not Modric, but I have confidence in them"

— Real Madrid Info (@RmadridInfo) October 31, 2014"

On the evidence of the past couple of months, he wouldn't want either of them out of the team. But strength in depth is critical, and if Ancelotti is able to call upon someone of the calibre of Khedira for the next few months in reserve, you'd better believe it's to the benefit of both the manager and the team.

And to the detriment of their rivals, both at home and abroad.

Summer Suitors

Come the end of the season, regardless of what Real Madrid win, lose or system they play with, it still seems likely right now that Khedira will be on his way. The Spanish giants have it ingrained into their systems that they must chase the biggest name, the brightest prospect, the most expensive talents.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

At some point between now and May, a new, young central midfielder will doubtless catch their eye and offloading the wages of Khedira will seem—to the financial or sporting, not to the coaching, staff—a fair trade to bring in another new player.

Khedira will have no shortage of offers. He has already been linked with Chelsea and Arsenal, per the Express, and to Bayern Munich last summer by the Daily Mail, and there will certainly be others in the mix if he is to leave on a free transfer. In fact, take your pick of teams who qualify for the Champions League—all will want him, and he'd almost certainly be a starter at each.

The summer of 2015, with no European international tournaments to worry about and a time of rest for Khedira, will see the next phase of his career take shape and will likely mark the last big impact, at 28 years of age, that he'll be able to have on the club scene.

For now, though, he is right to remain part of Real Madrid's best side in years, quite possibly with the ability to defend their Champions League title, and the club will be very happy to accommodate him in their plans in the short term—even if they then disregard him afterward.

Follow @karlmatchett