Real Madrid Transfers: 5 right backs to consider this summer

Lille RB Mehmet Zeki Celik

Lille are on the cusp of winning Ligue 1, which many saw as an impossible feat given PSG’s financial power and recent dominance of French football. But with Burak Yilmaz standing out as the player of the season, a strong defense, a world-class goalkeeper in Mike Maignan, and plenty of young attacking talent like Jonathan David, Lille have what it takes to win it all.

And in addition to all those celebrated players, Lille have a breakout star at the right back position in Mehmed Zeki Celik. One of their impressive Turkish players, Celik has established himself as one of the best players at the position in Ligue 1 at the age of 23.

Unlike Ridle Baku and Achraf Hakimi, Celik does not finish off many attacking moves, though he does have five total goal contributions in the league in 27 appearances. Celik can help out in the attack, but he is mostly an asset to Lille defensively. And he’s a rather significant reason for their defensive solidity, which has buoyed them to their excellence in Ligue 1.

Celik averages 2.4 tackles per game and 1.2 interceptions per game. He is the best defender on this list of five, and that may appeal to Real Madrid the most. Yes, Los Blancos like to have fullbacks who help the attack a lot, but they should have Lucas Vazquez as an option. So maybe to counteract that, they’d prefer a more defensively solid option. You can’t beat Celik there.