These are the changes Zinedine Zidane needs to make at Real Madrid

Real Madrid don't expect to make any transfers this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is a problem for Zinedine Zidane as he wants to improve certain areas of his squad ahead of next season. Zidane would like a new right-back, centre back and a midfielder so he has cover in every position. Casemiro was forced to play every match he was available due to their not being a natural replacement for him in the squad.

Zidane has 31 players available to him ahead of preseason training. Four of those were loaned out last season (Odriozola, Ceballos, Óscar and Mayoral) and none of those have their futures decided just yet. Four others are considered 'for sale': Bale, James, Mariano and Brahim. Right now, Zidane has nine forwards available and four attacking centre mids. Yet in midfield, he's only got five options and seven in defence. The squad needs to be balanced out before next season starts. 

COMPLICATED SOLUTIONS 

The sale of Hakimi to Inter for €40m means Carvajal doesn't have any competition at right-back. Ever since Odriozola was loaned out to Bayern, Zidane has needed to use Mendy and Vazquez as cover instead. The logical solution would be to keep Odriozola but there are rumours in Madrid that Zidane isn't convinced by the Spaniard. 

Nacho Fernandez (30) has been used to cover across the defence but he's spent the best part of two seasons injured and could be sold this summer. At the moment Zidane has Varane, Militao and Ramos to cover the centre back roles. Yet Ramos is 34 and plans must be put in place to replace him soon. If Nacho is sold, Madrid will need to either spend big on a new central defender or promote someone from their academy.

Zidane must try and find a way to balance out his squad without spending a lot of money.