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Real Madrid: What should the starting XI look like in 2021/22?

By Hridyam Arora

HUESCA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga Santander match between SD Huesca and Real Madrid at Estadio El Alcoraz on February 06, 2021 in Huesca, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
HUESCA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 06: Luka Modric of Real Madrid CF looks on during the La Liga Santander match between SD Huesca and Real Madrid at Estadio El Alcoraz on February 06, 2021 in Huesca, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid, Daniel Carvajal
Real Madrid, Daniel Carvajal (Photo by Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Dani Carvajal

Dani Carvajal — when fit — is easily one of the best right-backs in the world. He’s a brilliant two-way presence. He makes smart, overlapping runs on the offensive end, and tracks back really well. While defending, he’s very aggressive and tough to get past. It’s a joy to have him, but the only concern with him is fitness.

Dani Carvajal missed a large portion of last season suffering from injuries. His fitness will be crucial because both of his back-ups — Alvaro Odriozola and Lucas Vazquez — aren’t really as good defensively, and since Los Blancos have lost two absolute juggernauts in the middle of the defense, Dani Carvajal will be crucial because the team is going to need him now more than ever.

Eder Militao

Militao was outstanding during the stretch of games in which Ramos was recovering from injury and Varane was out due to COVID-19. He was a big reason why Real Madrid ended up defeating Liverpool over two legs, and were still in the race for La Liga until the very last matchday. His importance now increases, and he will have to show that Real Madrid made the right decision by not signing a replacement. Because, really, this is his time. It’s finally his time, and he must make most of it.

David Alaba

David Alaba gets the number 4 kit, as expected. I think everyone knows he’s not going to be as good as Ramos was, even though the Austrian wears the same number he did. But, David Alaba is a pretty solid defender. I’m not the biggest fan of him playing at centre-back, but he’s certainly better than the other choices that Real Madrid have, and it’ll be interesting to see how big of a role he takes now that he’s going to be the leader at the back.

Alaba’s fitness record is exceptional, and everyone hopes it stays that way at Real Madrid.

Ferland Mendy

Mendy has proved to be one of the best defensive full-backs in the world in the last two years. If you think that’s an exaggeration, then you might want to pay a little more attention on his defensive skillset. He’s fast, strong, good under pressure and his two-footedness helps him get out of tight situations.

Like Dani Carvajal, he is going to be crucial in defense, because the margin of error has now been significantly reduced with the departure of Varane and Ramos. Mendy will have to improve in the offensive end, but I think it’s more important that Real Madrid have some stability at the back.

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