First Zinedine Zidane went, now Cristiano Ronaldo has gone, on the face of it, this looks like worrying times for the 33-times La Liga champions Real Madrid.
But are we right to be concerned, or are the Real hierarchy pulling off masterstroke for future footballing dominance?
Club president made it quite clear that finishing 17-points behind rivals Barcelona is utterly unacceptable and that even winning three Champions League’s in a row is not good enough.
That resulted in Zinedine Zidane departing the hot-seat after two and a half years at the club to be replaced by sacked Spain coach Julen Lopetegui.
Cristiano Ronaldo quickly followed Zidane out the door after reported rumours that the Portuguese Adonis had been unhappy for some time in Madrid and chosen Juventus as his destination in a deal worth £99 million.
So, What Now?
Real Madrid is in something of a quandary, how do you replace your clubs all-time top goal scorer?
Gareth Bale is 29 and has never quite hit the highlights perhaps Real and he expected, now might be the perfect time for Bale to shine but it is unlikely Lopetegui will put all of his trust into the Welshman.
Luka Modric may have just had the World Cup of his life but at 32 is hardly fresh legs and linchpin defender Sergio Ramos still be solid as a rock, but like Modric, is 32 and not one for the long-term future.
It means Lopetegui and Real will come under scrutiny this summer in the transfer window as they need a show-piece signature to appease fans and give them any chance of making it 34 La Liga titles.
There are seemingly only three men who have the capabilities to fill Ronaldo’s whopping great shoes.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is the first name on the list with Real reportedly keen on making a £200 million move for the 27-year-old.
Hazard was on superb form for Belgium at the World Cup and has been the stand out player for Chelsea ever since joining from Lille in 2012.
However, a concern may be his goal ratio in the blue shirt, 69 goals in 208 Premier League matches is still some return but nowhere near enough to replace Ronaldo’s contributions.
Perhaps then, Paris St Germain’s Neymar Jr may be a better option?
The Brazilian scores for fun and at 26, would be able to lead the attack from the off, even the fact that he played for Barcelona seems to make no difference and it is common knowledge that both parties are interested in a move.
The only issues may be finances, if Hazard is worth £200million, then a younger, arguably better Neymar Jr will command an astronomical fee which may prove a stumbling block.
So how about Kylian Mbappe?
The teenager lit up this summers World Cup and deservedly won the young player of the tournament award.
He is also a domestic French Champion and World Champion and could be the perfect statement of intent for Real Madrid for the long-term future.
Again, money may be an issue with Mbappe but that is the same for everyone.
Whatever happens this summer, one thing is clear, if Real are to compete this season, they are going to have to spend BIG.
Watch out for some transfer records to tumble this summer.
