Real Madrid: 3 things that make Fede Valverde untouchable

Fede Valverde is the ideal box-to-box midfielder

At just the age of 23, Fede Valverde is an important part of a Real Madrid midfield that still boasts one of the all-time great trios in Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro. That he could find a place within this group as a 21-year-old two seasons ago and impress Zinedine Zidane is a restatement to not only his quality, but also his maturity.

Valverde is rated as one of the most valuable center midfielders in the world, and it’s easy to see why. He is massive on the defensive end with his speed, physicality, and stamina. Valverde is a ball-winning machine both in the middle of the park and on the flank, where he often pushes out wide and up to supply a supporting attacking outlet that enables the forwards to pinch in.

So far in the 2021-22 LaLiga campaign, Fede is Real Madrid’s leader in progressive distance carried with the ball and carries into the final third. That very same work that makes him so adored defensively is ever-present offensively, and it needs to be recognized. Fede is an absolute monster in transition, creating chances with his speed. He can glide or bulldoze past defenders, such is his athletic talent.

Valverde does it all in the middle of the park. If you were to look up the prototype of a box-to-box wide midfielder or No. 8, you would find a description that perfectly suits the Uruguayan youngster.