Real Madrid: 3 dream centre back targets for 2022
By Sudhir Salvi
Real Madrid have been reliant on the unassailable duo of David Alaba and Eder Militao in recent months, but they still need another central defender.
Barring the two starters, Los Blancos have only Nacho Fernandez in the squad and Jesus Vallejo, who has not yet won over the faith of Carlo Ancelotti or the Madrid supporters. The former Granada loanee does not have a future at the Santiago Bernabeu and will be sold during the summer. As such, a centre back is something that the club must look at, particularly given that things can go south very fast if Alaba or Militao are injured.
One of the biggest reasons why Madrid should sign an expensive and high-profile central defender is to give them defensive security. They have lacked that since Pepe left the club as prior to that, the Portuguese was competing with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane- all three elite options. Right now, Nacho is not as trustworthy due to his lack of pace and aerial abilities, either.
Los Merengues have been lacking a quality central defender since the last summer after the departures of Varane and Ramos, and that was going to be an obvious hole in the squad. However, Alaba and Militao have put the concerns behind for the time being at least. But the Brazilian’s mistake at Getafe and Alaba’s fitness scares some weeks ago did set the alarms ringing, at least among the Madridistas if not among those at the Valdebebas who know the duo’s importance.
With that in mind, which three central defenders would be dream signings for Real in 2022?
MATTHIJS DE LIGT
Juventus central defender Matthijs de Ligt has everything that a player requires to succeed at a club like Real Madrid. The former Ajax Amsterdam superstar is a capable leader, brilliant defender, ambitious, and has a long future ahead of him considering that he is only 22 still. Matthijs de Ligt is also touted to leave Juventus and Mino Raiola has not remained coy on his client’s future in Turin.
Real Madrid are one of the few sides who will be able to pay for his services, which are likely to be more expensive than cheap. The Whites do not face a shortage of funds, in truth, and should they manage to sign Kylian Mbappe for free and Erling Haaland on a reasonable price, de Ligt’s signing will not be as difficult a prospect as people imagine it would be.
His characteristics are what make him a superb potential signing. Matthijs de Ligt can be a great replacement for Sergio Ramos because of his leadership, but that’s not it. He is a strong presence aerially, has incredible tackling abilities, and can also play long balls with great accuracy- three of the main attributes which made the current PSG defender so successful at the Bernabeu.
De Ligt is also a good goal scorer as was seen when he scored against Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus in his fairytale and breakthrough season with Ajax Amsterdam, now three years ago. With the Bianconeri, it is fair to say that his progress has been a bit hindered due to the constant change in managers and a general sense of underperformance within the existing roster.