Real Madrid's expiring contracts: Keep or release?
Real Madrid recently tied manager Carlo Ancelotti down to a new contract recently, helping the club paint a clearer picture of what their immediate future will look like.
Ancelotti knocked back the advances of Brazil to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he is fostering a group of fine young stars.
But what to do with Madrid's experienced and veteran members? Should they keep their loanees beyond the season too?
If it were simply down to Madrid, then yes, they should absolutely keep Luka Modric.
The problem lies with the midfielder himself having previously expressed his frustrations over his reduced role this season. As a result, Modric has been continually linked with a move to MLS and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
At 38, Modric obviously isn't the player he once was, but he's still capable of playing at the highest level and coming up with moments of real magic on the ball. Football purists will want him to stay as much as Madrid do.
Verdict: KEEP
Like Modric, Toni Kroos is also being used less frequently as a starter but has still come up with important moments in Madrid's season.
There has been criticism in Spain of Ancelotti for playing Kroos and Modric together considering their lack of physicality and energy nowadays, but with so many young and energetic midfielders in the squad, it shouldn't really be an issue to stagger their usage moving forward.
Again, the question ultimately should come down to Kroos — does he want to stay and play a bit-part role for a club where he's a legend or try out one last challenge?
Verdict: KEEP
At this stage of his career, Nacho Fernandez probably isn't good enough to be a starter for Madrid, but that doesn't mean he's worthless to them either.
As club captain and a versatile defender,
Read on 90min.com
