CB Raphael Varane
With all due respect to Fede Valverde, Isco, and Vinicius Junior, another defensive player rounds out the list. It would have been criminal to not give Raphael Varane the highest of praise for his work in the second half of the season, because Real Madrid’s best defensive displays often came as a result of his clean-up efforts and ever-intelligent reading of the game.
The recently-turned 27-year-old is a huge priority for Real to extend in 2020, because he is clearly right there with Casemiro as one of the team’s most important players. Whereas the team feeds off Casemiro’s energy, Varane’s calm is the driving force in the back four and allows the likes of Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos to use their gifts to support the attack.
Varane, of course, has the technical quality and vision to help the attack, too. He even scored a goal and created in an own goal in the memorable 3-0 win over Getafe to kick off the month of January.
France’s captain, Varane stepped up the most in the biggest games, putting in tremendous performances in wins over Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, and FC Barcelona in the second half of the season. He is the best center back in the world, and while he flies under the radar, his consistency and tactical awareness set him apart from his peers. Look no further than his colossal displays against Getafe and Sevilla in January as tone-setters for Real Madrid.