Misfiring Madrid, Calamitous Chelsea, Dreadful Dortmund — why players need to find form, and fast

In almost all of Europe’s top leagues, there is a team running away with the title. In my 18 years of watching soccer, I have never seen a phenomenon like this. Perhaps most interestingly are the events occurring in Spain, where Real Madrid, after winning the Champions League, are failing to compete with, well, seemingly anyone.

Just months after winning the grand prize, Madrid lie not only behind arch rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but are trailing by a vast number of points. Yes, the team with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, somehow, are failing to get results when they need them most. After being frankly exposed in El Classico, since then, Real have dropped numerous points, falling further behind Barcelona, and putting their coach under pressure. 

The most interesting part of the whole ordeal, is that in the Real Madrid squad, there have been very few changes in personnel. In fact, the only noticeable change would be the departure of Pepe to Besiktas. Replaced by a very capable defender in Rafael Varane, this cannot be the sole cause of all of the team’s issues, particularly when it was Pepe himself who often caused Real misfortunes with his poor discipline record. 

Noticeably, Ronaldo is aging, Bale isn’t always fit, Navas has made some key errors. However it is the team (and coach) as a whole that is failing. For years, I have always said that Barcelona will be greater than Real Madrid until the latter become more of a team and less a bunch of individuals. Both teams have always had exceptional talent, but year after year it would seem like Barcelona would always be able to create a team that struck fear into opponents, whereas with Real, you would only fear their players individually. Perhaps the only reason that they achieved success last year was due to the Neymar saga at Camp Nou. 

Real’s issues can be highlighted by results against teams like APOEL in the Champions League, and Girona In La Liga. They can win, and win big, but against what quality of opposition, and in what mindset must they and their opponent be in to achieve this? When a team, regardless of ability, go head to head with them and scrap for everything, for whatever reason, Real simply can’t handle it. We will soon see how they can handle PSG and their old nemesis Neymar in a few weeks time.

The reason people should be looking into this more is because the form of Real’s players could be taken forward into the World Cup. And this is a big deal. Ronaldo and Navas are integral to their Portuguese and Costa Rican sides respectively. Players like Isco and Modric are also key in attacking prowess for their nations, and Ramos and Varane could be essential to successful defending. But then, another thought is raised, particularly in the French and Spanish camps. Why risk playing or even taking misfiring players like those at Real, or Dortmund, or Chelsea, when there is a pool full of other talent that is achieving success and is in good form? This isn’t just limited to Real. Picture a Spanish side without Fabregas, without Costa, without Isco, or without Morata. Picture a French side without Martial, or without Lacazette. Or even a German team without Gotze, the hero just four years ago in Rio. It is near impossible. But I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest if there were some big names left out of the final rosters due to a lack of form or rather lack of gumption and fight at club level. 

Players need to take a hard look in the mirror, as almost nobody’s seat on the plane to Russia is guaranteed for any side, but particularly for the larger teams. There have been surprises all over this season, and one should expect more between now and June 14th.