Real Madrid Transfers: 3 better CB targets than Antonio Rudiger in 2022

Dortmund CB Manuel Akanji

The final candidate on this list is Manuel Akanji of Borussia Dortmund, who has more than recovered from a rough patch of form a year go to return to being one of the best defenders in Europe. There’s a real case to be made that he is the best center back in the Bundesliga, and that actually means something, given how end-to-end this league is.

Akanji does so many things well. He is one of the most intelligent players you will ever see on the pitch. Just watch his ability to do math! Matthijs de Ligt rightfully gets praised as a leader, and the same praise should go to Akanji. He has really emerged as a rock for Dortmund, playing in a system that stresses center backs even more than Real Madrid’s. Yes, seriously! Dortmund are one of the most high-octane, attacking teams you will see on this planet, and that means the two center backs are constantly putting out fires with almost no support.

Yet Akanji never loses his head, always has his teammate’s backs, and has become more vocal over the past year. He isn’t as vocal or the kind of player like Rudiger (or Ramos) who will get into it with the other team to help his own teammates, but he exudes a quiet leadership that can become something more if the circumstances dictate it.

A standout for the Swiss national team, Akanji was one of the best players at Euro 2020, even if his work was overshadowed by players who get more press. Akanji may not be the top target for Real Madrid, but he absolutely should be on the list. At 26, he is entering his peak.

Dortmund should be willing to sell Akanji, even if it would be a reluctant decision. The complicating factor is that Akanji is probably their most important player. Erling Haaland is their best player, but not only are Dortmund resigned to losing him, they also have two talented strikers in Youssoufa Moukoko and Steffen Tigges. They have other good attacking players, such as legendary No. 10 Marco Reus and new signing Donyell Malen.

But who are their best defenders? They have no real defensive midfield, no defensive fullbacks, and the only other center back they can rely on is the aging Mats Hummels.

That said, if Real Madrid meet Dortmund’s evaluation, which should be lower than the fees for Matthijs de Ligt or Jules Kounde, they could sign Akanji. At the very least, he is someone to keep in mind, and he would be a better player for Real Madrid than Rudiger. He has much more quality on the ball than Rudiger. Kounde and Akanji are both clearly able to bring the ball-playing skills Real need from their center backs, much like Alaba and Militao already do.