What's wrong at Real Madrid?

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The 2017-18 La Liga season hasn't been kind to reigning champions Real Madrid. Currently fourth in the Spanish league, Real Madrid have suffered four losses already while tallying a mere 32 goals. It is a far cry from the team that finished last term on top of La Liga with an incredible 93 points and 106 goals scored.

Madrid's biggest problem this term has been out of form star Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international has scored just four goals in La Liga, which puts him level with three other Madrid players. A season ago, Ronaldo scored 25 times in the Spanish top-flight, but has failed to replicate the form he has showcased since joining the team from Manchester United in 2009.

Ronaldo's form isn't just due to on the pitch problems. The forward came into the current season after being investigate for tax evasion. During the summer, reports circulated that Ronaldo wanted out of the Spanish capital, and his trust in the club's executives had been broken thanks to the team's failure to keep promises. Ronaldo's form has resembled a man who desperately wants to go, but based on his wages and transfer valuation, it is difficult to believe Madrid would be willing to let him go easily.

But basing Madrid's problems on Ronaldo's poor form alone would do a disservice to our investigation of the club's current issues. There is more than meets the eye when it comes to the club, and more than just Ronaldo's play that has left the team in fourth place after Saturday's 1-0 home loss to Villarreal.

During the summer transfer window as news over Ronaldo's tax evasion broke, the team was heavily linked with French teen sensation Kylian Mbappe. Madrid were in no position to pay the extravagant fee Monaco wanted for the forward, so Los Blancos went about freeing up cash to purchase Mbappe. The club sold James Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata, Danilo and several other players to free up money. However, Mbappe chose to join Paris Saint-Germain instead of the 12-time Champions League winners. Madrid's player sales left them with holes that the team never filled and Los Blancos are currently imbalanced across the pitch. The hope that Ronaldo could make up for the team's lack of quality players off the bench has not happened; and Real Madrid are in terrible shape now due to poor planning by the club's executives.

Real Madrid are winless in four of their last five games. The run has seen the team lose twice by a combined score of 4-0. It is frightening just how few goals Madrid have scored this season. With the La Liga title practically Barcelona's already, Real Madrid are turning their sights to the 2018-19 season. This despite the team having plenty to play for in both the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League.

There are strong rumours that Madrid will attempt to lure Neymar away from PSG as the Brazilian has a desire to play against his former team Barcelona. If Neymar does join Madrid in the summer, it would put a domino-effect of transfers into place. By joining the Spanish side, it would allow Ronaldo to return to Manchester United. In addition, it is a World Cup year, and plenty of players will impress during the tournament in Russia. Inevitably, whether deserving or undeserving of a big money transfer, we will see players moving teams following the tournament at a high-rate.

Real Madrid's on-field problems have everything to do with the club's off-field work. The club should holdoff Villarreal for fourth place in La Liga. However, fourth place still only guarantees Madrid of playing in the Champions League Playoff Round next term.