It has been yet another disappointing transfer window for Real Madrid fans in 2021.
After 16 years of service, Sergio Ramos departed after his contract ran its course and a possible renewal between the two parties did not materialise.
Along with Ramos, Raphael Varane has followed suit after Manchester United officially announced his signing. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s possible transfer this summer remains to be on the periphery.
While Florentino Perez has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, the Spaniard has done one thing right: the signing of David Alaba. Los Blancos have pulled off another masterclass signing from Bayern Munich and this time it was a free transfer.
The Austrian’s signing has received a somewhat mixed opinion from the fanbase mainly because the club handed him the number 4 jersey along with a lucrative contract that could have been used for either Ramos or Varane’s renewal.
However, I will not get into the financial details and I’d rather tell you more about how influential David Alaba could be for Real Madrid.
EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP
Real Madrid have lost two great leaders in Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. The back-line will undoubtedly struggle in their absence especially because of the experience and leadership qualities both the centre-backs possessed.
However, David Alaba also offers a lot of experience and qualities of a leader. The Austrian was part of Bayern Munich’s first team for a decade and was a fundamental player for the Bavarian giants during his time there.
During his decade-long stay in Germany, Alaba plied his trade in various positions under different managers such as Carlo Ancelotti, Hansi Flick and Pep Guardiola – giving him experience under some of the very best managers.
His winning mentality and experience will be crucial in the backline. His presence could also help develop younger talents such as Eder Militao, Victor Chust and Miguel Gutierrez since he can play in multiple positions.
As a leader, we’ve seen his qualities in the Euro 2020 as Austria’s captain. Obviously, he cannot impose his voice immediately in the dressing room, but his leadership characteristics are well known to all the senior team players.
HE CAN SOLIDIFY REAL MADRID’S DEFENSE
There’s no questioning that Real Madrid have a depleted defence following the departure of Ramos and Varane. Carlo Ancelotti now has David Alaba, Eder Militao, Nacho, a young and inexperienced Victor Chust and sub-par centre back in Jesus Vallejo.
While the depth is concerning, Real Madrid actually have a solid centre-back pairing that can help them dominate Spanish football this season if Ancelotti pairs David Alaba with Eder Militao.
There’s a common misconception amongst Real fans that Alaba is a poor centre-back and is better off either on the flank or midfield.
However, in reality, he’s quite a solid centre-back. He’s an excellent reader of the game, his passing range and vision are phenomenal and he’s even got a sound tackle in him to win the ball back.
All in all, his ability to operate under pressure and build from the back will be fundamental in going forward and progressing with the ball.
If Ancelotti goes with a centre-back pairing of David Alaba as a left centre back and Eder Militao as a right centre back then Thibaut Courtois’ job between the sticks might just get a lot easier.
The Austrian and Brazilian could complement each other with a perfect balance of experience and youth.
JACK OF ALL TRADES
In football, David Alaba is a jack of all trades. He can play as a centre-back, left-back, midfielder and even occasionally move higher up the field as an attacker from the wings. There’s no position that Alaba cannot play. Every position that he has taken under his wing. he has excelled in. That’s the beauty of David Alaba.
Let’s say Carlo Ancelotti does not play him as a centre-back and considers another position for the Austrian. That’s no problem, Alaba can easily start over Ferland Mendy, in my opinion, on the left-flank since he’s a far superior left-back while attacking and progressing higher up, which is one of Mendy’s weaknesses.
The 29-year-old can even act as a cover to Casemiro. While the Brazilian is an indispensable member of the starting eleven, his ability on the ball against sides that press fast and hard makes him a vulnerable target to retain possession.
A prime example was the semi-final against Chelsea, where Casemiro struggled. Against such oppositions, Alaba can easily be slotted in place of Casemiro and his ball-playing ability will be of great use in beating the press of the opposition.
While David Alaba can play in multiple positions, he also offers a lot towards scoring goals. He is currently Real Madrid’s best option at free kicks from all ranges.
He can swerve it, dip it and even do the whole crazy knuckleball effect. According to statistics from Marca, the 29-year-old averaged a goal from a free-kick every 12.4 attempts making him the best free-kick taker at the club.