Real Madrid’s transfer activity this summer was very limited in regards to the number of incoming players. Returning loanees aside, the club settled for only two new signings. First, a free transfer of David Alaba from Bayern Munich and next, a deadline day deal to show the young Frenchman, Eduardo Camavinga his way to the Bernabeu from Rennes.
With another season of being unable to sign transfer priority Kylian Mbappe, there were serious questions on Florentino Perez and his management. There were doubts about this squad and the lack of signings. And, a trophy-less season seemed almost certain. However, this squad has performed beyond what was expected under the new boss, Carlo Ancelotti. And, David Alaba has been a big reason why this squad has been able to exceed expectations so far in the season. There is no doubt in my mind that he is LaLiga’s best signing, something I also predicted in our predictions roundtable for the season.
Here are three reasons to support my claims of the Austrian being the best move of the summer in LaLiga.
1. David Alaba’s versatility and impressive skillset
For the opening argument, let us take a moment and appreciate David Alaba for everything that he brings on the pitch. He had his doubters, especially on his defensive abilities but he has proven all of them wrong with his solid performances so far. He indeed is one of the most versatile footballers around currently in world football.
He was a standout in the Euros and has been even better for Real Madrid so far in the 10 appearances that he has had for the club. Some key qualities about him make for an entertaining footballer like his accurate long balls. I specifically remember that one long ball assist to Karim Benzema that he controlled with his back and dispatched for a goal. David Alaba is full of such WOW moments.
His latest outing in El Clasico is sound evidence of his attacking abilities. He started a move himself robbing the ball off of Memphis Depay’s feet and then passing it to Vinicius Junior who in turn went past Oscar Minqueza to switch it to Rodrygo Goes. In the transition, Alaba made a perfectly timed run of almost 90 yards for Rodrygo to find him. He then launched a shot no less than a bullet away from Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s reach. I just have one question what other center back in the world will give their side such an advantage going forward? The run, the shooting confidence, the accuracy, Alaba truly is a gem!
Alaba also shines in building up play from the back. His crossing is another major highlight of his game. He is a brilliant passer of the ball and several other qualities about him make him one of the best players in the Real Madrid squad and LaLiga. He definitely has been LaLiga’s most versatile signing so far with a goal and two assists whilst performing more than satisfactorily in defense, per FBref.
2. In quick time, David Alaba has become one of the MVPs for Real Madrid
As I often say, a player’s value to their club is a more determining factor of their season than a brilliant individual record. And, David Alaba has been that valuable player to Real Madrid so far. He is filling up a huge void for Los Blancos, the void of missing for Captain Sergio Ramos. He is the club’s new number four and has justified the number so far with his all heart and soul. According to SofaScore, he is Real Madrid’s third-best player in the league after the attacking duo of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior. (at least 8 appearances)
Whenever the starting lineups are announced, fans only look for David Alaba’s name because the central defense has been that fragile this season with Alaba being the only ray of hope for Madridistas. I am not saying that Eder Militao hasn’t been good, he has been more than instrumental but Alaba is just a whole different personality. He screams at the defense and organizes it, jumps up with passion when a goal is scored at the other end and radiates passion throughout matches.
At this moment, it simply feels like there can never be a Real Madrid lineup without Alaba in it. I remember his injury scare from the recent international break that brought him under doubts for the game against Shakhtar and I remember how nervous the fans were until his availability was assured. That is Alaba, fans’ only option right now. There simply isn’t any alternative.
The final reason why his value to the club has been so high is his leadership, as my colleague Ali Al Hasan pointed out. After the departure of Sergio Ramos, the job of being the leader at the back fell to Nacho and we all know how that has panned out so far. I love Nacho, he has been a loyal servant for the club but he’s just going through a rough patch as a player and I hope that he bounces off like he did last season.
But, in the meantime, David Alaba has done more than his fair share at being the leader at the back. He isn’t a player who has seniority in the club but he is a figure well respected in the dressing room, something evident from the on-field behavior. The young lads know very well what ranks Alaba belongs to and his leadership has been the biggest asset to this club in filling in the void that Ramos’s unfortunate departure left us with. He has been at the back what Benzema has been upfront for Los Blancos.
3. David Alaba has truly justified the profile of his transfer
LaLiga had to see some of its biggest icons depart in the recent seasons. Starting with names like Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez to the most recent and arguably the biggest ones, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos. As such, LaLiga was in dire need of new stars joining in and restoring the sheens of what was once the biggest football league in the world.
There were very few signings that matched the profile of David Alaba’s signing this summer. The ones that are on top of my head are Barcelona’s Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero who, with all respect, is an out-of-favor star right now. Apart from these two, Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo de Paul, in my opinion, would be the next closest player to matching the magnitude of these transfers although the others are one step higher. And, it’s safe to say that David Alaba has been the one true winner among all these new names so far in the season.
Not to forget, David Alaba’s transfer also holds a figurative value given he is replacing Real Madrid’s long-term captain Sergio Ramos. Ramos is one of the best center-backs in world football right now and yet he hasn’t played a single match for his new club PSG. Alaba, on the other hand, has taken over Ramos’s shirt number, his position, and to a certain extent, his role in the club by being the voice of leadership at the back and exhibiting similar qualities in aiding in buildup plays and not shying away from contributing in the attack.
He has been a very entertaining player to watch as I substantiated in the previous slides. He is one of the most respected defenders in world football and a lot of his fans would indeed tune in just to watch him play. He is already winning over the crowd in Madrid and all of Spain and his clutch performances have been vital to getting Real Madrid to the position they are now in. His inclusion definitely has been a fruitful signing for LaLiga.