Real Madrid: Don’t doubt Eder Militao

Real Madrid signed center back Eder Militao from FC Porto for 50 million euros, and they should have no reason to doubt his potential after an encouraging first season at the Bernabeu.

Shining at Real Madrid is no easy task, given the weight of expectations that come crashing down on players when they debut at the Santiago Bernabeu. This pressure can affect even experienced players who have gone deep into Champions League and World Cup tournaments, but it can most profoundly impact a young player.

The center back position is one of the most high-pressured in football. Attackers press you into mistakes, and whereas one bad pass by an attacker can be easily forgotten, one bad pass by a defender can be deemed unforgivable if it leads to a goal.

Eder Militao held up under the pressure of the Santiago Bernabeu’s bright lights wonderfully in his first season at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian defender may have struggled at right back against Real Betis and Nabil Fekir in the final game of the season, but that should not be the lasting impression fans get from his 2019-2020 campaign. Nor should it be any cause for alarm. If anything, praise should be given to Betis tactically and to Fekir for his brilliance, rather than any criticism toward the young defender.

Militao is reportedly on Jose Mourinho’s list at Tottenham, which should come as no surprise. A composed, intelligent defender with excellent closing speed and the desire to fight for every ball, Militao fits Mourinho perfectly. But let’s be real, he fits any team perfectly.

Defenders will become more and more valuable, especially quick-thinking, quick-moving defenders like Militao. It takes the best of the best to stop the world’s increasing supply of top-notch attackers, and at just 22 years old, Militao flashed serious potential while looking wise beyond his years.

Playing alongside Raphael Varane, Militao covered a lot of ground and made calm, safe passes in most of his games at center back for Real Madrid. Sure, he took some lumps, but he looked like a brilliant signing by Florentino Perez, who continues to target the world’s most promising young players as part of the “Revolution”.

It’s easy to be overly critical of young players, especially when they don’t get a chance to play frequently. Madridistas have seen plenty of criticism levied at striker Luka Jovic, for example.

But don’t doubt Militao. He is far too good to sell after just one season, and if he were to end up being a star player at Spurs, you had better believe Real will grow to resent their decision to sell him for, likely, less than what they paid.

Militao is a quiet star on the rise at center back who averaged 1.9 tackles per game and 1.8 interceptions per game for Los Blancos last season, according to WhoScored.com. He has all the tools, and the potential for stardom is there.