Real Madrid: Ranking the top 10 players before 2019-2020 resumes

9. Real Madrid RB Dani Carvajal

A position battle between Achraf Hakimi and Dani Carvajal could be one for the ages at the Santiago Bernabeu, but it’s more likely Zinedine Zidane and the coaching staff will find ways for both men to help the team in 2020-2021.

Carvajal is too good to not have a key role in the side, though the lack of a backup for the experienced fullback after Alvaro Odriozola’s loan to Bayern Munich caused a great deal of stress on him.

In 2019-2020, Carvajal tied Toni Kroos for second on Real Madrid with five assists in La Liga, as only striker Karim Benzema provided more. An excellent defender, Carvajal only really ran into trouble against world-class wingers, such as Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling.

Carvajal can also make frustrating mistakes and unwise fouls, but his weaknesses are mere footnotes to his overall consistency and excellence up and down the right flank.

After his bounce-back season in 2019-2020, Carvajal is back to being the unquestioned top right back in La Liga. And despite all the praise for youngsters Hakimi and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Carvajal just might still be the best right back in European football when looking at his technical quality, passing, toughness, and overall defensive game.