Real Madrid position preview: fullbacks
We here at The Real Champs thought it would be fun to preview each position of the Real Madrid team ahead of the start of the LaLiga season. We will preview goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards over the next two weeks before Real’s first match on August 20th. Go check out our first positional preview, goalkeepers before continuing onto this preview, fullbacks.
One of the most important positions in the modern game are the fullbacks. Real Madrid has had some shake ups at the back this offseason, so let’s take a look at what they have coming into this season.
Left Backs
Starter: Marcelo
Who else would it be? The out and out best left back in the world and possibly the best one of all time is the Brazilian Marcelo. The flashy South American has this spot on lock and will continue to bring his excellence every time he steps on the pitch. He is one of the most consistent players and never fails to do something great when he plays. He is truly one of my favorite players of all time and one of the best of my generation. Nothing to worry about here.
Second Choice: Theo Hernandez
One of the new additions to the team this summer is Theo Hernandez. Hernandez came over to Real Madrid on a transfer from Atletico Madrid. Hernandez is just 19, but he shows flashes of talent and has potential to be a fantastic heir to Marcelo.
A young modern full-back who likes to get out and run as well as track back and defend, he is the perfect understudy to Marcelo. He most likely won’t get a lot of game time in his first year with the club, but he will surely be featured in some big matches.
Right Backs
Starter: Dani Carvajal
Carvajal, like Marcelo, will once again be taking his rightful place as a starting fullback. The Spanish right back isn’t as good as his Brazilian counterpart, but he is still one of the best in the world. Dani consistently gets the job done and does everything asked of him.
Second Choice: Nacho Fernandez/Lucas Vazquez/Achraf
Honestly, I am not sold on any of these choices. Neither Vazquez or Nacho are right backs by trade, they just happen to be able to play the position. Nacho will also be needed as a backup center back at times, so it is also a conflict of interests for Nacho to be a fourth choice CB and second choice RB.
Vazquez is very versatile, and if he is the third choice at multiple positions, you have a very good and deep squad. The problem is, he is more of a patch work right back, rather than someone who I have faith in if Dani goes down to be the out and out starter.
Achraf Hakimi is the youngest and best long term option, but I am not sold he is ready yet. I think he needs another year before he is truly good enough to be the second choice. He performed well on the preseason tour seeing time in all four of the matches in the United States. Now if he was brought in to play the position with the combo of the three, I’d feel a little more comfortable.
As far as one of them being the lone second choice, I am concerned.
My final thoughts
The left back position is as solid as ever. Two players who play very similar and one who can learn from the other, no concerns.
As far as the right back position, I do think selling Danilo was the right choice, but I do think Real Madrid need to bring in another one. I think the three options listed above are all solid, but I’d rather rely on them in a real emergency. I think options like Joao Cancelo, Ricard Pereira or someone else would suit the team much better in the long term.
Next: Real Madrid: A case for Karim Benzema