Sevilla CB Jules Kounde
Now we move over to La Liga. Sevilla center back Jules Kounde had a couple of spotty moments in the recent 2-2 draw with Real Madrid, but, as a whole, Kounde is one of the best center backs in European football.
And this is despite the fact that he is only 22 years old. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are the main two generational talents linked to Real Madrid, but Kounde deserves to be mentioned on that list, too. Center backs don’t get as much praise as they should, but Kounde is already racking up superlatives among La Liga fans.
Per WhoScored.com, Kounde has won more than three aerial duels per game this season and is dribbled past just 0.5 times per match. He completes nearly 90 percent of his passes and shows good range with his distribution at the center back position. And despite his short stature, he is a threat on set pieces.
Kounde has impressed in each of the past two seasons for Sevilla. He will 100 percent command a huge price tag, which is why Real Madrid will likely end up looking elsewhere. But he is the best center back money can buy. You know, in case Real end up needing to sign someone to replace both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.