Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, who do Real Madrid need more?
Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland
Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland, who do Real Madrid need more?
Kylian Mbappe against Erling Haaland, that is the new trending debate that football fans love to have. They are two era-defining, generational players with very different profiles. But one thing is for certain. Either of them would be a big success at Real Madrid. Interestingly, both have been linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu over the years.
Haaland joining the club this summer is virtually impossible. He has only spent one season at Manchester City and is having a remarkable campaign. On the other hand, even though signing Mbappe this summer is more realistic, it is still likely that he stays at PSG for another season.
It is almost certain that Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo will be at the club in 2024. Endrick will also arrive next year. The teenager would be expected to get playing time, but his minutes will also need to be managed as he is young and would be playing in Europe for the first time.
So let’s say it’s the summer of 2024. In a hypothetical world, Haaland and Mbappe are both available and Real Madrid have to make a decision to bring one to the club. Who should they choose?
Mbappe or Haaland, who do Real Madrid need more?
Mbappe prefers to play on the left flank. This allows him to operate with more freedom and impact the game in various ways. Dribbling down to the byline and cutting it back or crossing. Cutting inside and looking for the top corner or simply combining with his teammates to score a goal. He pretty much has unlocked everything in his game.
Though he prefers to play off the left, we don’t think he would have a problem with being Karim Benzema’s successor at the club. It’s a fact that he’s more involved in the game when he plays on the left but he’s equally as effective through the middle.
A front three of Vinicius, Mbappe and Rodrygo has everything you need. Creativity, flair, instinct for goals and it feels like their chemistry would be top tier. They also are players for the big occasion, so stepping up when their team needs them won’t be an issue.
On the other hand, Haaland is a machine and scoring goals is second nature to him. Don’t be surprised if he goes on to break numerous records in La Liga, if he does join Real Madrid someday. With that being said, he is more limited than Mbappe and heavily relies on his teammates to create chances for him. That shouldn’t be an issue, though, as the club have players like Vini, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and many more. And Jude Bellingham looks set to arrive soon as well.
With a player as clinical as him, you don’t need to second guess about building your team around his strengths. Playing him in behind opposition defenses, finding him via cut-backs to the six yard box or even from an accurate cross into the box. Haaland will find the back of the net if you give him the service.
A great coach can do incredible things with Haaland and this Real Madrid squad. Maybe it’s time for Los Blancos to go back to the “traditional number 9” and prioritize their striker’s goalscoring abilities.
The best case scenario would be both Haaland and Mbappe at Santiago Bernabeu. Two of the world’s best at the biggest football club in world football. But as we all know, that is highly unlikely. So who do Los Blancos need more?
In our opinion, Real Madrid need Mbappe more. He is a more well rounded player. This is no disrespect to Haaland as his ridiculous numbers speak for themselves. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he has scored 52 goals in 51 appearances this season till now. But the Frenchman would probably be a better signing for Los Blancos.
