Valverde is the man who has managed to bench Messi in CL-matches, without complaining, turn Suarez from donkey to WC through playing-time, incorporated a Brazilian over-the-hill non-barca-style player into a benefit for the team, turned Rakitic from out of form to light-Xavi, taught Semedo + Dembele lessons about what it takes to be a professional top-player (diet and so on). All this after and during great storms of controversy because of Neymar leaving, transfer-sagas and so on. Yes, I think he is a great man-manager.
Based on how Valverde manage his players, I wouldn't bet on that. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays Griezmann as a RW, because he has to keep Suarez happy but if Dembele manage to prove himself the next few months then it's going to be a problem.
Real Madrid has a very good squad depth but that doesnt mean their attack are packed with superstars. Their bench are mostly homegrown and are all still very good as bench players.
You expect them to spend 100 mil just for Griezmann to sit on the bench? We will have problems. Better foresight would be find a young replacement for Rakitic or Busquets. Our attack are already loaded with the likes of Messi, Coutinho, Suarez and Dembele.
Real Madrid did not overstack attacking players. They won the CL with Bale in the hospital bed and Benzema scoring 1 knockout goal against Napoli in the R16 and 0 assists during the whole competition.
Griezmann is a very experienced player and a much bigger goal threat so when push comes to shove the kid Dembélé will always be the one to sit out in meaningful games as a 70 minute pace substitution. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets loaned out next season.
These fantasy constellations of too many world class attackers of which 1 is always willing to sit out and come off the bench while retaining a high level and staying happy only exist on Fifa.
No, and their attack has proved to be insufficient this season without James and Morata, so what are your point? See, I get that one can fear Galactico-policies to be inefficient and lead to trouble (RM proved that, early Florentino-period).
But:
1) Our players are different (no drama-queens among Messi, Suarez, Coutinho - just look at how humble he has been since the start - just maybe Dembele is on a hold here) - and Griezmann wouldn't be one as well.
2) As others have mentioned suspension and injuries (which are always super-underestimated when making ideal-starting-11's on forums e.g.) will take care of some of the adjustment of playing time.
3) Valverde is a coach who can handle the squad better than most (and he would have full backing by the board - also a difference to Galactico-Madrid). He has got Messi to accept benchtime in CL, that is something, and therefore I believe he can get the captains who themselves accept not playing full-time can affect other players to do the same (Iniesta, Messi accepts it - Suarez could in the future as well), therefore it is not Utopia that Dembele & Griezmann don't cause riots if they don't play every 3rd day.
4) Suarez is ageing and it is just as naive to think he will be able to be WC for 50 games a season 2-3 seasons from now, as expecting it to be manageable with Griezmann in the squad. My guess would be that he could accept a sub-role/heavy rotation in the 2019/2020-season.
5) What if Suarez actually declines rapidly - then what? Everyone in here would then expect us to buy world-class, because no-one seriously think Paco can be first choice or that Messi as false 9 with Dembele/Coutinho on the flanks is the best way to utilize (the slower and) older Messi. We could then buy Kane for 200M, and old Lewandowski or old Aguero, or, bet on 16-year-olds in Brazil for around 50M as Madrid. I don't want that, and therefore some pre-planning for once would be welcomed from my perspective, although I'm not completely blinded by the upsides of this policy - trouble could be real, but I think most things count in favour.
