World Football: 3 Players Real Madrid Need for Championship Glory

The La Liga season is only seven games in, with Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid lying in third place. Barcelona, as has become the norm, are leading the pack with Levante a close second.

For the past three seasons Madrid have had the quality in depth to challenge for both the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League, but for some reason they seem to come up short every time.

This season might see a new club at the helm of the Spanish La Liga, but not without a fight from reigning champions Barca.

If Madrid are to make a serious push for the aforementioned titles then they need to look elsewhere for that extra championship winning ingredient. 

3. Yaroslav Rakitskiy

Rakitskiy currently plies his trade at Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk. At only 22-years-old he has become a permanent fixture for both club and country.

The young defender made his debut for Donetsk and the Ukrainian national team almost two years ago, and is part of a clutch of burgeoning talent emerging from Ukraine.

His versatility as a defender makes him a great candidate for the inclusion into a Galácticos side, which at the present time is in dire need of someone who can bolster up their defense.

The much sought-after Rakitskiy has garnered interest from the likes of Barcelona, and can operate as both a centre-back and a central-midfielder. He is also comfortable on either flank and has a penchant for scoring goals, too.

He’s contracted to Donetsk until the summer of 2014, but if the right offer is tabled he could be persuaded to jump ship.

The ball is firmly in Madrid’s court.

2. Daniele De Rossi

The proficient midfielder would be a welcome addition to the Bernabéu stadium.

De Rossi is the heir-apparent to Francesco Totti, and is the heartbeat of AS Roma’s midfield.

The Italian-based maestro has graced some of footballs biggest stages—he was part of the Italian FIFA World Cup-winning side of 2006 and was featured in the European Championship of 2008 and the FIFA World Cup two years later.

De Rossi’s strengths lie in his ability to exquisitely pass the ball, and his level of concentration throughout games is at an all time high.

The Stadio Olimpico midfielder doesn’t have an aversion to goal either—scoring 44 combined goals in all his competitions.

At this point in time Manchester City are showing a keen interest in acquiring his services.

With his Roma contract expiring at the end of the 2011-2012 season and no news thus far of an extension, the door is open for Madrid to make their move, even if that means contending with the financial clout of City.

1. Robin Van Persie

The Flying Dutchman has been a resident at Arsenal for seven years, and within that time the only trophy of note he has won has been the F.A. Cup.

For someone with his impeccable technique, awareness, creativity, eye for goal and lethal set-piece skill set, Van Persie could call Madrid his second home.

With the Gunners languishing in the mid-bottom half of the Premier League table and with no hope of contesting for any major titles (F.A. Cup not included) this season, it makes sense that Van Persie would make his exit from the Emirates stadium sooner rather than later.

It would also make sense for Madrid to put in a bid and see whether it comes to fruition or not.

The Galácticos might have the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín firing on all cylinders, but Van Persie’s arrival would give them more options and add even more depth to their already dynamic strike force.

Thanks to Obat Realmad Cipriani for suggesting this article.