Real Madrid Transfers: 3 under-the-radar defensive midfielders to watch
FC Köln DM Ellyes Skhiri
Over in the Bundesliga, FC Köln have a gem of a defensive midfielder in Ellyes Skhiri, who was solid last season and has taken another step forward as a 25-year-old – the same age as Renato Tapia – in the 2020-2021 campaign.
Last season, Skhiri averaged a robust 2.3 tackles per game and 2.1 interceptions per game, and now he is averaging 2.6 tackles per game and 2.6 interceptions per game. There are only two Bundesliga players with more interceptions per game than Skhiri and only four with more tackles per game. Hoffenheim’s Diadie Samassekou, who was discussed in this transfer piece as a cost-effective signing for the summer 2020 window, is the only player with BOTH more tackles and interceptions per game in the league.
Skhiri would likely be even cheaper than Samassekou, and he is a virtual unknown outside of Germany’s top flight. But the Tunisian international is an excellent defender and reader of the game, and he has even proven useful on set pieces after scoring a brace in a 2-1 upset victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Real Madrid need to look at cost-effective, defense-minded midfielders who can give Casemiro relief. Skhiri may have trouble adjusting to La Liga, but he is a very talented defensive player who runs hard and racks up interceptions.