by Signed from Sao Paulo to much excitement and fanfare, it was believed that Real Madrid had done it again. The move for Eder Militao before any other side in Europe could get involved showed fortitude and an ability to read the room in terms of up and coming international starlets. Not only did Militao have the ability to start playing for Madrid from day one, but he could be a development star who could, in time, step in for the likes of Sergio Ramos as the defensive lynchpin of the modern Real Madrid.
However, the sales pitch has not really fitted in with reality; instead, Militao has struggled to convince the coaching staff and teammates of his ability to be of genuine help to Madrid at the highest level. Therefore, it looks like an exit from the club is very likely to take place in the near future. Several clubs are interested, including a range of clubs in England, France, and Germany.
Heavily linked with Liverpool and also with Borussia Dortmund, Militao does not look like he will have to step down too much from Los Blancos if he intends to stay in Europe. Despite having huge potential and all of the attributes needed to thrive, the Brazilian has yet to really give any consistent gameplay back to Madrid for the outlay. However, he could be moving on from the club as early as January, with a move to Germany currently being seen as the most likely option.
He has been linked with various teams, though, and with Liverpool, in major need for a defensive addition, he could be a solid pick for a team that is looking to improve its squad make-up ahead of the gruelling second half of the season.
Can Militao succeed in Europe?
Absolutely – he would be by no means the first player to fail on his first stop in Europe. Add in the fact he is playing for one of the highest profiles and high-pressure clubs in the world, and it is easy to see why the defender has struggled. Since Zinedine Zidane left the club the first time around, Madrid have been nowhere near as sound defensively regardless of who is playing. As such, it is easier to see the struggles of Militao to come down to age, experience, and the general flux taking place in Madrid right now.
A lack of game time for Militao has been a problem since the day he arrived in Madrid, and he clearly lacks the confidence of coach Zinedine Zidane. As such, the chance to move on to a new team should be taken – Madrid seem keen to move on, and Militao is desperate for a fresh start according to reports in Spain.
A parting of the ways, then, would see Militao be the first of quite a few of the ‘next generation’ stars at Madrid, including Martin Ødegaard, to be looking for a way out of the Bernabeu. Where does this leave Madrid? For now, it looks like they will be short one central defender who, so far, has not gotten much time on the field.
