‘Listen to me’: Real Madrid Fan Calls for Barcelona to Fail to Replace Rodrygo

Over the past three seasons, Real Madrid have leaned heavily on their left flank, with the electric duo of Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo forming a formidable presence. Both Brazilians, while listed as wingers, naturally gravitate toward the left, often crowding the same spaces and creating an imbalance in the attack. That tactical flaw only deepened last summer when Los Blancos pulled off the blockbuster signing of Kylian Mbappé, a player whose preferred zone is also the left channel — the same area he dominated in at AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappé may be deployed as a central striker in Carlo Ancelotti’s system, but he is far from a traditional number nine. The Frenchman often drifts wide, drops deep to collect the ball, and relies on his blistering pace and dribbling from the wing — particularly the left wing. This has inadvertently intensified Real Madrid’s tactical congestion on that side of the pitch, leaving the right wing relatively underutilized.

Ironically, despite the abundance of left-sided attackers, Madrid have recently been linked with yet another left winger: Nico Williams of Athletic Club. The Spanish international, currently shining at Euro 2024, has drawn attention for his directness and creativity — attributes Los Blancos admire. But the possible arrival of Nico raises eyebrows among fans. Why sign yet another player who thrives in the same zone already dominated by Vinicius, Mbappé, and even Rodrygo?

This ongoing tactical conundrum has sparked frustration and debate among Madridistas online. One particularly passionate Real Madrid fan took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concern and offer a solution: sign Ousmane Dembélé from PSG, but only under one condition. “Listen to me,” the fan pleaded. “Dembele is the guy we need at Real Madrid, but only if Rodrygo leaves.”

The idea may sound radical at first, but it stems from a deeper issue — Real Madrid’s glaring lack of a natural right winger. Dembélé, for all his inconsistencies and injury setbacks during his Barcelona days, is one of the few elite-level wingers who is truly comfortable and productive on the right side. His pace, dribbling, and unpredictable movement could provide a balance that the current setup desperately lacks.

During his time at Barcelona, Dembélé was often criticized for his poor decision-making and persistent fitness problems. Despite spending nearly five years at Camp Nou, he registered just 40 goals and 41 assists. His numbers weren’t dreadful, but they fell short of expectations for a player once signed for over €100 million. Yet, in recent months at PSG, Dembélé has shown flashes of rediscovered form and fitness, reminding fans of the dangerous winger he was once projected to become.

The fan’s argument, though laced with rivalry-fueled undertones, points to a strategic truth: if Barcelona were to attempt replacing Rodrygo — should Real Madrid decide to sell — they would struggle to find a natural, high-quality right winger who could immediately match the Brazilian’s productivity. Rodrygo may not be as prolific as Vinicius or as glamorous as Mbappé, but his ability to operate across the front line, particularly on the right, has given Ancelotti much-needed flexibility.

The speculation that Madrid could be open to selling Rodrygo, in order to make room for someone like Nico Williams or Dembélé, reflects the club’s ongoing evolution. With Mbappé’s presence now fixed, and Endrick Felipe soon to arrive, Rodrygo’s role could diminish. But replacing him would be no easy task — and certainly not one Barcelona would relish attempting, especially given the limited right-sided options in the current market.

There’s also a hint of rivalry in the fan’s plea — a subtle wish for Barcelona to fail tactically if they ever attempt to match or counter Madrid’s depth on the wings. “They can’t replace Rodrygo,” the fan implied. “So let’s force their hand and see them stumble.” For all the rivalry, there’s a certain respect hidden in the statement — an acknowledgment of Rodrygo’s unique profile and growing importance to Madrid’s tactical structure.

If Real Madrid were to truly consider letting Rodrygo go, it would need to be a carefully measured decision. The market doesn’t offer many players of his age, versatility, and Champions League pedigree. And while Dembélé might offer something different, he brings his own baggage — particularly when it comes to fitness and consistency.

Ultimately, Real Madrid’s next step in reshaping their attack will be closely watched, not only by their fans but also by rivals like Barcelona. With Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappé, and soon Endrick, the club has an enviable pool of attacking talent. But fitting them together in a balanced system is the real challenge — and fans, understandably, are eager to be heard in how the club navigates it.