2. Sergio Ramos
It is no surprise for Sergio Ramos being placed so higher up in the list. His return and recent performances have been a huge sigh of relief for Madridistas. The best thing about his return is that he is back everywhere. He has been effective in defense, he has scored from the spot and most importantly he has been that familiar voice of leadership at the back for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid has looked a lot positive since Ramos’s return. Though they have conceded, they have also found their way back and won matches. Indeed, Real’s defense is still missing few great players like Dani Carvajal and Marcelo. But, with Nacho filling in for the absentees, he has been brilliant under both Ramos’s and Varane’s leadership.
The new formation that Zidane has been experimenting with has only three forming the backline. It has been Varane and Nacho alongside the captain mostly. At times, centrally placed players like Casemiro and Vasquez have been dropping back quickly as per need. Overall, the new arrangement has worked and Ramos has led the backline like the true leader that he is.
He has also been spotted contributing to buildup plays with accurate pass exchanges with the midfield backline. Not to forget, he scored from the spot against Atalanta, and to be back among the goals so soon after his return would be a huge confidence boost for the Spaniard. In the upcoming matches, he needs to keep this momentum going. He would be the key man in defense whose voice of leadership Los Blancos had missed for many games.