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Real Madrid news: BT Sport pundit suggests TWO signings Julen Lopetegui should make
REAL MADRID need a player of Eden Hazard’s calibre and ideally two attackers as their squad lacks depth.
That is the honest verdict of BT Sport pundit Owen Hargreaves.
Real Madrid were on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline by Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup clash.
Diego Costa grabbed a double, while Saul and Koke added further strikes as Real began life post Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane with a defeat.
Although Karim Benzema scored a terrific goal, Julen Lopetegui threw on Lucas Vazquez with seven minutes to go of normal time as Real searched for a winner.
And Hargreaves believes there is some real quality missing from Real.
“I was surprised really. All of a sudden, Real look like they lack depth,” Hargreaves said when asked about Los Blancos’ loss in Tallinn, Estonia.
“Some of those younger players - Mayoral, Ceballos and Vazquez all came on.
“Real after that performance need to strengthen.
“They have money to spend and they need to do it.
I would be surprised if they didn’t try to get at least one player - a Hazard type
“Lopetegui has never really managed at this level before.”
And Hargreaves admits the Bernabeu giants need to make at least one acquisition, but preferably bring in two attackers before the Spanish window closes on August 31.
He added: “They need two attackers. Benzema scored a great goal and Bale looked terrific in little spells.
“But what happens if one of them gets injured?
“Asensio is a terrific player, but he’s still very young and for him to carry the load that Cristiano [Ronaldo] did is unfair.
“Mayoral is not proven - they need two stars, two difference makers.
“I would be surprised if they didn’t try to get at least one player - a Hazard type.
“Obviously Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are the dream, but they are unrealistic.”