Real Madrid should be worried about Luka Modric’s declining form
Real Madrid need more from Luka Modric
Luka Modric has been a rock in Real Madrid’s starting XI ever since he arrived at the Bernabeu. Unfortunately for Zinedine Zidane, the Croatian’s slow start to the 2017/18 campaign may indicate it’s time for a changing of the guard in Los Blancos’ midfield.
Admittedly, four matches is a pretty small sample size. You still can’t argue the fact that Modric has been pedestrian at best in those four matches. His Whoscored.com player rating average of just 6.72 in La Liga play is well below his career average.
If Modric were 25-years-old I’d be inclined to write this off as a temporary dip in form. He isn’t a young player anymore though. It’s easy to forget that the classy midfielder is already one of his club’s oldest regulars at 32 years of age.
In fairness, it’s not as if Modric bases his game on athleticism. Instead, he’s always been a player that relies heavily on his immense skill on the ball. That’s precisely why he’s been able to flourish as a defensive midfielder despite his lack of speed or strength. His world-class passing ability has allowed him to control numerous matches from his spot deep in Zidane’s midfield.
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Even so, if Modric has lost a step it could cost him his spot in the Real Madrid starting XI. Becoming slightly slower could prevent him from being a passable defender. If he can’t function in Zidane’s double-pivot he’ll quickly find himself on the fringes of the squad.
It’s a similar decline to what we’ve seen with Cesc Fabregas. Neither he or Modric ever used their athleticism to overwhelm opponents. In their primes both men had just enough speed and strength to hold their own against world-class opposition. Now that Fabregas has lost a step he frequently finds himself outside Antonio Conte’s starting lineup. He’s used much more frequently as a change of pace off the bench or a starter against weaker opponents.
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It’s too soon for Real Madrid to hit the panic button about Luka Modric’s form, but it’s something for Zinedine Zidane to keep a close eye on over the next few weeks. If the classy Croatian’s form doesn’t improve quickly, it may prove that he’s permanently past his prime. Real Madrid can’t afford to have a player like that in their starting XI on a weekly basis.