THE Real Madrid of the future has been in the process of being built since Zinedine Zidane replaced Carlo Ancelotti as manager.
Very a little — in relative terms — has been spent during the Frenchman’s 22-month tenure, with a large squad packed with several homegrown talents used to manage La Liga and Champions League obligations.
And, in the summer, fringe stars were flogged with Spain stars of the future brought in.
Dani Ceballos, 20, was named player of the tournament at the summer’s U-21 European Championship, while Theo Hernandez, 19, was controversially signed from Atletico Madrid.
And right-back Achraf Hakimi, 18, has started getting game time. All three look like real prospects for the future — but what about the now?
As Real Madrid‘s youngsters toil, here’s a look at how well some of the established players they allowed to leave in the summer are now faring.
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Alvaro Morata, Chelsea
Zidane, president Florentino Perez and Bernabeu fans all seemed to prefer Karim Benzema to Madrid’s “own” Morata — despite the Spaniard’s superior record in front of goal.
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Feeling unwated, he left to join Chelsea in search of more game time and a more prominent role.
He has found both with an electric start to life at Stamford Bridge while Real Madrid continue to struggle in front of goal.
James Rodriguez, Bayern Munich
Clearly not a favourite under Zidane, he failed to make the pitch for the 2016 Champions League final — or even the matchday squad 12 months later.
James became a permanent fixture in the famed “B team”, which competed in La Liga matches towards the end of last season, but was frequently left out of the big occasions.
Moved to Bayern in the summer, initially to re-unite with Ancelotti, and is slowly rediscovering his best form.
Pepe, Besiktas
Euro 2016-winning centre-back was allowed to leave, due to the fact he was 34 — but only now is it clear just how vital he was.
Besiktas are first in the Turkish Super Lig and on the verge of qualifying to the next stage of the Champions League.
Director Ahmet Urkmezgil revealed they build their team around Pepe.
Mariano, Lyon
This must be the one that rankles with Zidane the most.
Mariano, 24, barely featured for Real Madrid — and was allowed to move to the Ligue 1 side in the summer.
He has become a vital cog in Lyon‘s side, and is their second top goal scorer behind the sensational Nabil Fekir with eight goals so far.
Fabio Coentrao, Sporting Lisbon
A Jose Mourinho signing, whose injury restrictions meant he picked up a medal every 8.3 games at Real Madrid.
However, he has already played more games — ten — this season, than the six he managed in the whole of the last campaign.
Sporting boss Jorge Jesus confirmed Real Madrid had even congratulated him for managing to keep Coentrao fit enough to start three successive matches.
Danilo, Manchester City
Is certainly not a regular under Pep Guardiola — even with Benjamin Mendy‘s long-term injury.
However, that isn’t to say he isn’t sorely missed at Real Madrid.
Los Blancos right-back Dani Carvajal has spent a long period of time on the sidelines, which has meant the promotion of Achraf.
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