Real Madrid’s long-term planning for life after their present midfield core is well underway, and rumours have illuminated the names that the Santiago Bernabéu club are seriously considering.
Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar has quietly moved to the top of the club’s internal shortlist, despite the admiration of several established stars throughout Europe.
According to AS as reported by Caught Offside, Madrid’s recruitment department evaluated many well-known midfielders as part of their succession planning.
These include Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool, Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain, and Enzo Fernández from Chelsea.
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All four are highly regarded for their technical proficiency, intelligence, and capacity to have a significant impact on elite games.
Madrid Eyeing Next Generation Midfielder
Even though those players are established, top-tier possibilities, Real Madrid are more concentrating on finding the next generation of midfielders before their value soars.
Kees Smit can help with that. Madrid scouts initially saw the 19-year-old in the 2022–2023 UEFA Youth League, when he distinguished himself against academy opponents with his poise, positional awareness, and ability to control tempo.
Since then, Smit’s growth at AZ Alkmaar has further strengthened Madrid’s conviction that he has the potential to evolve into a future midfield mainstay.
He is seen internally as a modern central midfielder who can advance play vertically, is tactically advanced beyond his years, and is at ease receiving the ball under pressure.
The Real Madrid midfield already includes Eduardo Camavinga, Aurěen Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde, but they are preparing for their next midfield general, just like they have in the past.
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