"Bellingham, Camavinga, and Tchouameni Could Be Worthy Replacements for Real Madrid's 'Bermuda Devil Triangle' of Modric - Kroos - Casemiro. Once Again, Real Madrid Builds the World's Best Midfield as the Foundation for a Strong Squad in the Years to Come.
Real Madrid is now equipped with a completely new midfield, with an average age of 21, to carry them into the next decade. This midfield trio shares a peculiar factor that brought them to the Bernabeu, whether through one way or another, and that is Zinedine Zidane - the coach who led Real to three consecutive Champions League titles.
Zidane could become the new "Elder Statesman" at the Bernabeu if he agrees to manage Real for the third time, starting from the summer of 2024. He would oversee a team filled with talented young stars who joined the club due to his influence. Among them is the most exciting midfield in European football, and perhaps even Kylian Mbappe.
Bringing Zidane back to the Bernabeu might be the only job that Real won't entrust to their head of scouting, Juni Calafat, who has proven his ability to overcome the toughest challenges. Calafat has brought in Vinicius, Rodrygo, and the young forward Endrick - who is not even 17 yet but is certain to be part of Los Blancos' first team by 2024.
Calafat's next task may seem impossible, but once again, he has succeeded against all odds. How to replace the Casemiro - Toni Kroos - Luka Modric trio? The "Bermuda Devil Triangle" is the name given to this midfield trio by coach Carlo Ancelotti. The opponent puts the ball in there, and it disappears from their control.
However, with Aurelien Tchouameni (23 years old), Jude Bellingham - who will turn 20 later this month - and Eduardo Camavinga (20 years old), he has found a worthy trio to replace the "Devil Triangle".
Financial power has helped Real Madrid beat Liverpool in securing Tchouameni. They also signed a contract with Camavinga when the rest of Europe was still asleep. At only 19 years old, Calafat did not hesitate to pay €40 million for this target.
Camavinga helped Real win the Champions League in 2021/22 as a super-sub in his first season. He then solidified his position in the starting lineup as a midfielder but also performed exceptionally well as a wing-back in his second year at the Bernabeu.
Real wanted to wait for a year before signing Camavinga, but the player's representatives advised that it might not be wise. Money talks. Calafat listened and never regretted this decision.
As for Bellingham, the interest extended into the 2021/22 season as he excelled at Dortmund - a club that has had various relationships with Real Madrid over the years. Like Camavinga, the English midfielder was not one to hesitate when it came to joining.
"About 12-15 months ago, my dad said that Real Madrid was interested in me," Bellingham admitted in a press conference on Thursday. The way Calafat "sold the club" to the player and his family was exhilarating. He sold the club's history first and then the idea that the young player could write his own chapter in it. Who could refuse that?
Real knew Bellingham since he was a 10-year-old player with big eyes back in 2014 when they won the historic Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon, thanks to a 94.
