This doesnt make sense. 95% of RMs signings over the past decade have been 24 years or younger. The players they played with in defense in their latest CL final were signed as 18, 18 and 19 years old (Marcelo, Varane and Ramos). They became almost instantly important parts of the team. Malcom isnt too young at 21. No way. Mbappe dominates teams at 18. If Malcom is good enough, he'll be a good signing. We dont have to wait until he's 25 to know that.
Cristiano Ronaldo, bought with 24: already Baloon D Or winner aged 23.
So, they bought the best player in the world to their club.
Bale, age 24, world record fee. So, they bought one of the best players in the world, in his prime, aged 24, NOT 20 like Dembele.
Modric, aged 27
Kroos, 24, in his prime
Casemiro, aged 23
So, true, RM isn't buying oldies, but from their starters, all of them were world class players, NT players and from top clubs.
Bale 24, NT Player, the best player at Tottenham.
CR7, the best player in the world, from Man Utd, NT player
Benzema, won 4 league titles with Lyon, NT player from the age 19.
On the other hand, Barca:
Denis, never an NT player. Never played in a TOP European club, at least as a starter or a key player.
Paco, not from a big club.
Semedo, wtf?
Gomes...
Malcom, not an NT player.
Arthur, not an NT player.
This sounds like a hate post, but I am just showing how: when RM used to buy youngsters, they were buying the best players in the world, on their prime: CR7 24, Kroos 24, Modric 27, Bale 24.
There is a difference between Bale/CR7 aged 24 and Dembele aged 20, Malcom aged 21.
Do you know what is the difference?
These guys developed in weaker teams and came to a RM on their prime, when they were developed as players and as persons.
Cr7, Kroos, Bale were not kids when they came here.
Which you can't say for Dembele.
So, RM's players developed in other teams, and RM bought them on their prime.
I am talking about their CORE/KEY players in attack and midfield.
In defense they did survive with youngsters, though.
On the other hand, Barca is buying kids who haven't developed yet (like RM's Kroos/CR7/Bale/Benzema) and Barca is hoping that they will develop here.
But again, these guys need to develop as players and as persons.
In short: you can't compare CR7 aged 24, Bale aged 24, Kroos aged 24 with Dembele 20 and Malcom 21.
Dembele/Malcom will probably miss that one key step in their career from the age 20-23/24 where they should play a lot and develop slowly under LESS pressure.
Some guys can make that step even at Barca, but for majority of players, that step is too huge and it came to early in their player's/person's development.
But let's wait and see how will (too young) Dembele and Malcom develop in the biggest club in the world, since we want results right here, right now.
** Mbappe is a rare example of a player with awesome skills, maturity and mental strength.
Other guys of that age are usually kids, and not like him.
