Keys to a Successful 2016 January Transfer Window for Real Madrid

So, Real Madrid have started 2016 with a bang. Not on the pitch, of course, but in the news. 

In sacking manager Rafa Benitez and replacing him with club legend Zinedine Zidane, Madrid have made the move that had felt increasing inevitable as the pressure on Benitez intensified. For many, his dismissal had been a matter of when, rather than if. 

Taking over, Zidane now faces the challenge of steering Madrid away from a wretched calendar year and to a more prosperous 2016. Imperative will be cooling the tension that has gripped the club, winning over the dressing room, victories in battles with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and, as ever at the Bernabeu, lifting trophies. 

But first, Zidane and Real Madrid must navigate the January transfer window.

Below, we've outlined our keys to making it a success. 

Buy a Left-Back

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Last summer, sending Fabio Coentrao out on loan to Monaco was fine; neglecting to replace him wasn't.

Despite their resources, Real Madrid entered 2015-16 with only one recognised left-back in Marcelo, whose work load had already been immense due to Coentrao's injury issues and the team's system that demands the Brazilian be both a full-back and a winger. 

Inevitably, such a situation has proved problematic. Against Paris Saint-Germain, Marcelo left the field early with a hamstring injury, only to be rushed back too quickly and aggravate the problem against Barcelona. During Marcelo's enforced layoff, Benitez had to use both Danilo and Nacho out of position with mixed results—that needs to be avoided in future. 

Consequently, Madrid's priority in January should be to bring in some cover at the position, and Marca reports the intention is to do so. According to the Madrid-based daily, targets include Wolfsburg's Ricardo Rodriguez, Lyon's Samuel Umtiti and Liverpool's Alberto Moreno, the latter being the club's preferred option:

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The Real Madrid suits would prefer to sign someone who isn't cup-tied in the Champions League. Alberto Moreno, who has been on the club's radar before, fits the bill, with Liverpool only in the Europa League, and the former Sevilla youngster represents a real option.

"

Hold on to Isco

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When Benitez was sacked this week, few players in the Madrid dressing room will have been more pleased than Isco. After starting against Malmo at the beginning of December, Isco had played just 12 minutes in a month prior to Benitez's removal and was clearly out of favour with the Madrileno. 

It hadn't helped that his sarcastic gesture toward Toni Kroos' presence on the bench against Villarreal had been captured on camera. Nor had the reports that he'd giggled on the bench when Madrid went 2-1 down against Rayo Vallecano. 

Unsurprisingly, the Spaniard has been linked with a move away in January given the apparent unrest, with Manchester City touted as a possible destination, per the Daily Mail. However, Bleacher Report's Dean Jones has reported that Zidane's appointment has changed the situation, with the new manager set to give the 23-year-old increased opportunities. 

It's imperative that he does. Already a star despite still being in the infancy of his career, Isco could play a significant role in Madrid's future—particularly if the expected squad shake-up unfolds next summer—and his versatility is a valuable commodity. 

Stay Cool on De Gea

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Several reasons come to mind for why Madrid should stay cool on Manchester United's David De Gea in January: 

1. It's midseason, and the price now will be higher than ever. 
2. He's cup-tied for the Champions League.
3. Keylor Navas has been brilliant. 
4. Madrid could do without the fanfare for a while. 

But most of all, it would just be cruel to put all of us through that again so soon. After the last time, headline writers are out of headlines, this writer's keyboard no longer has print on its "D," "E," "G" and "A" keys, fans of the respective clubs can't take it anymore, and everyone is sick of the fax-machine jokes. 

Thankfully, Marca reports that Madrid will wait until the summer before exploring the idea again. 

Prioritise Stability

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Labelling Madrid's season to date as eventful would be under-selling it. Chaotic might be more accurate. Shambolic maybe even more so. 

It began with the short-sighted sacking of Carlo Ancelotti—when club president Florentino Perez was asked why the Italian had been sacked, he responded with: "I don't know"—and subsequent appointment of Benitez.

Iker Casillas' awfully managed exit came next. Then the De Gea mess. Then the spate of injuries. Then Karim Benzema's blackmail scandal. Then the Clasico implosion. Then the Copa del Rey debacle. Then the incessant reports of strained player-manager relations. Then James Rodriguez's run-in with the police. And most recently, the sacking of Benitez and the appointment of Zidane. 

In December, Marca called it "a ludicrous five months at the Bernabeu."

Establishing a sense of calm and keeping the January business to a minimum would be the recommended plan of action from here.