Real Madrid Transfers: Ranking the top 5 young center back targets in 2021

2. Monaco CB Benoit Badiashile

Ever since Real Madrid were first linked to Benoit Badiashile, I’ve been a huge supporter of his. And he’s only increased his reputation this season at Monaco under Niko Kovac, standing out as one of the best center backs in Ligue 1.

At just 20 years old, Badiashile has shown up well as a ball-playing center back and has all the tools to develop into an elite defender. His age makes him a little bit of a risk from Real’s perspective, since he may not be able to step right in and play for such a pressurized club at center back, which is not an easy position to play in this side.

However, Badiashile is more ready than most players his age. He is averaging 1.7 interceptions per game and has been dribbled past just 0.4 times per game. Badiashile is comfortable playing in a back three or back four, and Real Madrid have interchanged between these two setups. If Max Allegri actually does replace Zinedine Zidane, then Badiashile could have added value.

It’s good to invest in young talent, especially players like Badiashile who are flying under the radar and can be cheaper than other alternatives. I really do think that if Real want to add another center back to replace Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos, they should bring in Badiashile as their next young central defender to develop, much like they did in 2019 when they signed Eder Militao.