It has been an odd summer in Madrid. Normally, the south side team, Atlético Madrid are the ones with rumors swirling around about players leaving while their northern neighbors are the ones bringing in talent. In 2016 however, it seems the roles have reversed. 

Monday marked another departure from the Santiago Bernabeu outfit, with former star-in-waiting Jesé Rodriguez finally completing a move to French club Paris Saint-Germain, to play for new coach and fellow Spaniard Unai Emery. The exact transfer fee was not announced, although PSG did say that Jesé signed a five-year contract through 2021.

In his press conference Monday Jesé lamented how it would have been harder to find time on the pitch if he stayed in Madrid, and that PSG presented a better opportunity to fulfill the potential everyone has talked about since he set the goals record for Real Madrid Castilla in 2013.

Now with the man from Gran Canaria gone, Alvaro Morata's return and presence means even more to the club. As now Zinedine Zidane has only three players that are comfortable playing up top in Morata, Karim Benzema and Lucas Vazquez. Vazquez is more of a 12th man type, and is comfortable playing that role for los blancos. Morata however is a star that needs minutes, and with Benzema's availability in 2016-17 in question due to his legal troubles, Morata should see even more of the field now that Zidane doesn't have to find minutes for Rodriguez.

Morata should be a part of the new post-Ronaldo Madrid. Gareth Bale is tabbed as the new foreign star to fill Ronny's shoes, but Morata can be this generation's Raul. An exciting Spanish goalscorer who came through the ranks of the club - granted he spent two years in Italy - and can be a new face for the club. 

Sergio Ramos has less than a handful of years in the capital and Real Madrid has always had and needed at least on Spanish star among a team of international galaticos. Raul was that guy for years along with Guti, Iker Casillas after him with Sergio Ramos at his side. Now it might be time for Ramos to pass the torch onto Morata.

All summer however there have been rumors that Morata could be on the way out before he even plays in a white shirt again. With Jesé's departure, those rumors should be put to rest. At least until next summer.

Photo: Flickr/ Chris Dehr