Madrid's Winter Window: Real Madrid Repeats Last Season's Mistakes

Winter window under fire as Madrid sticks to policy

Real Madrid faces renewed scrutiny over its January transfer strategy, with critics arguing the club is repeating last season's costly mistakes by staying out of the market.

Latigo Serrano, a Madrid-based analyst on Marca radio, launched a harsh critique of the club's approach, saying the team is treading the same path that proved expensive last year.

He warned that the team needs a central defender as much as water and air, a phrase that might sound dramatic but underlines the defensive urgency.

Injury setback tests Madrid's defensive depth

The remarks come as Madrid battles a worsening defensive crisis due to injuries, most notably the blow to Eder Militao against Celta Vigo.

Militao tore a thigh muscle with tendon involvement, sidelining him for around four months per medical estimates.

Reports suggest the Madrid board chose not to enter the winter market, citing difficulties in finding suitable mid-season targets and inflated prices.

The last winter signing for Real Madrid was in 2019, when Ibrahim Diaz joined from Manchester City for 17 million euros.

Beyond Diaz, Madrid has previously added players in winter windows such as Emmanuel Adebayor, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra.

Punchline: Real Madrid's defense is so porous that even water wants to sign with the team to try to plug the leaks.

Punchline: If this winter window were a standup show, Madrid would be bombing at the Bernabeu, while the medics quietly applaud the act.