Real Madrid could be in the market for another center back in the 2022 summer transfer window. This past summer, Los Blancos sold Raphael Varane due to his desire for a new challenge in the Premier League, as well as the possibility of banking extra cash to buy Kylian Mbappe before the 2021-2022 season. Los Blancos also replaced Sergio Ramos with David Alaba, who is also experienced but is entering his peak whereas Ramos is leaving his.
Despite Eder Militao’s strong performances and Alaba’s quality, the depth at center back is unconvincing. Real Madrid could seek to add a top player at the position, as losing both Varane and Ramos in one summer is colossal. And Real did not get a chance to replace both, given their relentless pursuit of Mbappe up until the last minute of the transfer deadline.
Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger is coming off the best season of his career, as he reached new heights under top manager Thomas Tuchel. The Champions League-winning central defender would like to stay in London, but his contract is running out. And if the Blues don’t meet his significantly increased salary demands, he could leave. Real Madrid have been linked heavily.
Rudiger is a talented, experienced player, but Real may be looking for somebody younger with a lower salary. And as good as Rudiger is, there are even better center backs who could be available next summer.
Let’s take a look at three such central defenders.
Juventus CB Matthijs de Ligt
We begin with the biggest name on the list, Matthijs de Ligt. The Juventus star can become the best center back in the world one day, and there are many Madridistas who understandably point out that de Ligt has the leadership and skill-set to become the true heir to Sergio Ramos’ crown in the Spanish capital.
De Ligt loves Juve, but there remains the possibility of him leaving if the Old Lady flounders in Serie A this season. Failure to qualify for the Champions League could be disastrous to Juve economically, given the financial risk they took with Cristiano Ronaldo, the impact of the pandemic, and the upcoming fees Juve must still pay out for all-important players Federico Chiesa and Manuel Locatelli.
Mino Raiola has already coyly hinted at future unrest, planting a seed for his client. De Ligt could actually replace Antonio Rudiger at Chelsea, but the pull of Real Madrid could be strong enough to get him to leave another one of Europe’s historic powers in Juve. We shall see. Regardless, de Ligt, if available, would obviously be the strongest center back option.
Sevilla CB Jules Kounde
Jules Kounde has been linked to Real Madrid constantly. Out of all the center backs that could potentially be on the market in 2022, Kounde is the one with the tightest links to Los Blancos. Sevilla and Real Madrid share a strong relationship, as Los Blancos are an important buyer of Sevilla’s players. And Sevilla need to sell for their model to work. They are akin to Borussia Dortmund in some ways. Additionally, both LaLiga clubs have a strong relationship built on players Real have sold to Sevilla, such as Oscar Rodriguez in the 2020 summer transfer window.
Currently, Kounde is the biggest prize on a Sevilla side that looks like a consistent Champions League unit. The composed, tactically-astute young center back is one of the most polished up-and-coming players in Europe, and he has the versatility to play multiple positions. That should attract Real Madrid, as we have seen how valuable a utility defender can be, using Nacho Fernandez as an example.
With his ball-playing ability, positioning, technical quality in the attacking third, ball-carrying, and speed, Kounde has a lot of unique traits that you won’t find in any other center back in the world. Like Matthijs de Ligt, every big club understands how talented Kounde is. While Kounde would be cheaper than de Ligt, he could go for close to his release clause of 90 million euros. Again, Chelsea are a team to watch here, as they were close to acquiring him this summer.
For many Madridistas, Kounde remains the most logical option. He is young, talented, and more affordable than de Ligt. If Real Madrid are serious about signing a center back next summer, there is little reason why they cannot sign either star.
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.