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Real Madrid Transfers: Three right-backs the club can target next summer

By Aryan Mamtani

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 27: Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 27, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 27: Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 27, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Since Achraf Hakimi’s departure from Real Madrid in the summer of 2020, the club has been left with just one natural right-back in the squad, Dani Carvajal. It wouldn’t have been that big of a problem if it weren’t for Carvajal’s poor injury record. Since the start of the 20/21 season, he has missed over 46 games in all competitions for Los Blancos.

Besides Carvajal, there’s Lucas Vazquez who played the full-back role surprisingly well last season. However, his performances this season have been quite underwhelming. Nacho is another option, whose versatility equips him to be a half-decent right-back option. Be that as it may, he has proved time and time again that he is much more comfortable as a center-back, and much more vulnerable on the right.

The right-back issue has been overlooked amid the Mbappe saga, but the underlying defensive woes make it imperative for Real Madrid to target a competent right-back in the next transfer window.

So, that being said, who are three players that the club can target in the summer to strengthen their right-back position?

KIEV, UKRAINE – OCTOBER 19: Dodo (L) of Shakhtar Donetsk and Karim Benzema (R) of Real Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League, group D football match at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, October 19, 2021. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
KIEV, UKRAINE – OCTOBER 19: Dodo (L) of Shakhtar Donetsk and Karim Benzema (R) of Real Madrid in action during the UEFA Champions League, group D football match at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, October 19, 2021. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

Dodo – Shakhtar Donetsk

We start off with the Brazilian right-back, Dodo. The 22-year-old is one of the most underrated fullbacks in the world and personally, I’m glad he hasn’t been poached by a top European club.

He is rock-solid at the back, with great aerial prowess, positional awareness, and a dominant physicality. He is a player somewhat similar to Ferland Mendy, in the sense that he might struggle to make a difference in the final third. However, his weaknesses are nullified by his extraordinary defensive abilities.

He has been immense for Shakhtar, particularly since the arrival of De Zerbi. He has started off on a great note this season, both on the defensive and offensive fronts. He has provided three assists in nine games in the Ukrainian League and has won 2.25 tackles per game in the Champions League this season. He also averages 2.25 interceptions per game, and has just committed one foul per game according to FBref.

The four at the back system suits him really well, which is important to know considering the fact that Real Madrid rarely uses the three-at-the-back approach, regardless of the manager.

Overall, he’d be a great addition to this Real Madrid side.

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