Summer Transfers Who Would Fit Rafa Benitez's Real Madrid Style

When Rafa Benitez was presented as Real Madrid manager at the Santiago Bernabeu in early June, there was a specific topic those in attendance were keen to discuss: style. 

Real Madrid, a club associated with glamour and extravagance, have always sought to play with attacking freedom. Under president Florentino Perez, the club has strived to be even more than a football team—it's strived to be a source of unmatched entertainment.

Yet in Benitez, Los Blancos have appointed a renowned defensive organiser and obsessive tactician—a reputation that forced the Madrilenian to answer a series of questions at his unveiling about how his incarnation of Real Madrid would play. 

"We have a great squad, with great players. That's why, rather than talking about style, what's important is to play as well as possible and to have a clear idea of what we want to do", the 55-year-old said, relayed by Marca.

"This team have to compete, play good football and win. We can discuss a lot of options in terms of the system, but it's clear that with such a talented team, we have to attack and score goals."

Benitez will certainly feel the obligation to entertain and play an attractive brand of football at the Bernabeu, but it's results that will still be his primary focus. Consequently, it's likely the former Napoli boss will make alterations, given Real's season of underachievement in 2014-15, with most expecting him to address the squad's balance and add defensive strength to a team dripping with attacking talent.

Therefore, in this summer's transfer window, defensive additions—particularly in midfield—appear to be the priority, with the club linked to several players around Europe.

Below, having already stressed Real Madrid's need for summer stability, we examine three possible transfer targets who would fit into Benitez's team if they were to arrive.

Lucas Biglia

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In 2012, Lucas Biglia told Marca (h/t Inside Spanish Football) that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Xabi Alonso.

"I want to look like Xabi Alonso. For me it is him that gives balance to Real Madrid and the national team. He is the role model," the Argentinian said. 

Though Biglia doesn't possess Alonso's trademark ginger beard, he's done a commendable job modelling himself on the Spaniard.

A diligent holding midfielder who doubles as a deep-lying playmaker, the Lazio star possesses the blend of rugged tackling and long-range passing for which Alonso has become renowned. In 2014-15, he made 3.7 tackles, 2.4 interceptions and 4.3 accurate long balls per game—figures that ranked among Italy's elite in all three categories, per WhoScored.com.

According to AS, Benitez, who's seen Biglia up close during his time at Napoli, is interested in bringing the 29-year-old to the Bernabeu, viewing him as a player who would add balance and depth to Real Madrid's midfield by giving it a more defensive complexion.

Signing the Argentinian would go against the recent trend of Real Madrid's transfer business, which has seen the club pursue players in the 20-25 age bracket, but one of the reasons behind Los Blancos' unravelling last season was the lack of an experienced and robust midfield organiser. Biglia could address that weakness and would seemingly be a natural fit in the double pivot of Benitez's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Radja Nainggolan

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Another possible defensive-midfield target for Real Madrid is Roma's Radja Nainggolan. 

Under Rudi Garcia at the Stadio Olimpico in 2014-15, the Belgian made 30 starts in Serie A for the Giallorossi, operating as the defensive hard man in Garcia's midfield three. 

A ferocious tackler and ball winner, Nainggolan possesses the sort of intensity many associate with Arturo Vidal and would add a necessary dose of physicality to the Real Madrid midfield. Recently, the player's agent, Lodovico Spinosi, said the Belgian would be tempted by a move to the Bernabeu this summer. 

"I believe Nainggolan will stay at Roma, although when you are talking about Real Madrid, things can change," Spinosi told IlSussidiario.net, per ESPN FC. "[Roma president James] Pallotta knows that Nainggolan is very important for Roma, and could have many offers for the player. Keep an eye out for Real Madrid."

Like Biglia, Nainggolan could sit in Benitez's double pivot in the 4-2-3-1 system and would add some steel to a central partnership that might also feature the more creative Toni Kroos or Luka Modric. 

Paul Pogba

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Last summer, it was James Rodriguez and Luis Suarez. The summer before that, it was Gareth Bale. In 2015, the most sought-after player in the summer transfer window appears to be Paul Pogba. 

A precocious, multi-talented midfielder, Pogba is considered the sort of player a team could build its midfield around for the next decade.

Imposing in stature, strong in the air, at ease on the ball and possessing remarkable technical ability for a player of his size, the Frenchman is the complete midfield package. 

According to El Pais (h/t ESPN FC), Real Madrid are locked in a battle with Barcelona to sign the Juventus sensation, with Spain's footballing behemoths the obvious destinations for the 22-year-old. 

Pogba is a player who would fit in almost anywhere, and Real Madrid is no exception. Additionally, he'd satisfy the club's thirst to land a high-profile signing each summer but, unlike some other Galacticos, wouldn't negatively affect the balance of the squad.