Real Madrid have, to an extent, a crisis on the right flank. Their right back, Dani Carvajal has had his worst season as a professional, and is just not a top-level full-back anymore. Of course, his performances have improved in the last few games, but how long until another pacey winger absolutely cooks him in an important game? Real Madrid need to pay a lot of attention to the right-back spot, and if they don’t, it’ll show that they are not as serious as they should be regarding a 14th Champions League.
Real Madrid did sign a right-back, Vinicius Tobias, from Shakhtar earlier this year. But, he’s still a very raw talent, and would probably spend a lot of time with Castilla before getting promoted to the first team.
That leaves us with Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, who has been good generally but can’t really be counted upon week in, week out.
With that, I present to you my five right-backs who would become reasonable upgrades for Real Madrid. I choose the term ‘reasonable’ because obviously, everyone would prefer the Trents, the Reece James’ and the Hakimis, but I doubt Real Madrid would be able to sign any of them. Mazraoui of Ajax is a fantastic option, but I don’t think he’d be joining Real this summer, either.
Nordi Mukiele – RB Leipzig
We start off with perhaps the most defensive right-back on this list. Mukiele is a fantastic defender, and has a lot of potential for growth. He’s also very versatile, and can play in multiple positions, including as a centre-back, a position where Real Madrid have had considerable depth issues.
He averages 2.49 interceptions, 2.82 clearances and is in the 96th percentile for aerial duels won (another area where Dani Carvajal, and Real Madrid’s defense, in general, struggle). He’s defensively solid, and would be a fantastic addition to Los Blancos.
Mukiele’s contract expires in 2023, and is reported to have rejected Leipzig’s contract offer. So, if Real Madrid are able to sign him for an affordable price, that’ll help their defense a lot.
The main issue is in the attack, where Mukiele struggles like Ferland Mendy. He wouldn’t be terrible, but the Frenchman is bound to struggle, and considering how important Real Madrid’s full-backs have historically been in the offense, they might have to look at this part first.
Pedro Porro – Sporting CP
This would actually be the most ideal signing for Real Madrid at this position. Pedro Porro is very young, he’s smart on the ball, is affordable, and is a great two-way presence who is bound to improve more and more as the seasons pass by.
Currently on loan at Sporting CP from Real Madrid’s upcoming challengers in Manchester City, Porro simply has all the ingredients required to be a right-back for Real. He’s young, fearless, a great crosser, good defender and his game is well beyond his age, although can act a little impulsively at times. He’s not the tallest, but he is quite fast, which would be very useful against fast wingers.
Porro is, of course, Spanish, so it’ll be easier for him to settle into the team and lifestyle. It’ll be foolish for the club to not attempt to sign him this summer, as Real can get him for a very realistic price.
My estimate is Sporting would make his loan move permanent, and then would ask for around 30 million euros from one of the big fish, which is good enough for a right-back that would eventually become one of the best in his position. They’d probably have competition from teams like Bayern, but Real Madrid need to make sure that they do their best to land him next summer.
So, yes, Real Madrid need to look at this signing as very, very important. Just like they’re looking at the CDM position, and the attack. The defence needs to be strengthened, and it’s time we get someone like Porro.
Youcef Atal – OGC Nice
Youcef Atal is another great option at right-back. He’s the least known out of all the three I’ve mentioned, but is still checks most, if not all the boxes.
He’s one of the most creative defenders in Ligue 1, and is surprisingly very good defensively if you factor in the height. Usually, short defenders don’t win as many aerial duels but Atal, according to FBref wins 1.87 aerials per 90, putting him in the 84th percentile in his position.
Atal also averages 3.37 interceptions per 90 and 2.41 tackles per 90, great numbers for a right-back. He is also very good going forward. He ranks in the 99th percentile in progressive carries per 90, with a whopping total of 8.78. He creates chances for his teammates, and although his assist numbers aren’t that great, it’s not due to a lack of trying.
Atal isn’t in his prime, either. He’s 26 years old, and will probably improve a little more before he truly gets into his bag. I’d also say a better team around him would help bring the best version of himself to life, especially when his primary target in the box would be none other than Karim Benzema.
Atal’s contract, like with Mukiele, expires in June of 2023, which gives Nice an option to cash in on him before he is able to leave for free. He shouldn’t cost a lot of money, either. However, I’d also argue he’s not the best option. He’s not the best defensively, he’s not the tallest, he’s not the best in the offense, either. However, just because he isn’t the best does not mean he’s not good at all.
Another problem with this signing would be the non-EU spots. Atal is from Algeria, and Real Madrid already have their non-EU spots filled. So, someone would have to either leave or get a Spanish passport to incorporate Atal. Apart from that, he is still a solid option, and would give Carvajal a run for his money. If the club isn’t able to sign Pedro Porro, then he’d be a pretty good alternative.
Vanderson – AS Monaco
There are a lot of good full-backs in Ligue 1 and no one is talking about them.
Vanderson, is a Brazilian full-back that plays for AS Monaco. He’s the youngest player so far, and is very, very talented.
From what I’ve seen, his numbers in the offense are exceptional, and I guess that although he isn’t anywhere near the best defender on the planet, he can get the job done.
Let’s talk about the good things first, though. AS Monaco’s very own Vanderson is great, both on the eye test and strictly in terms of numbers. He has the pace to get to a certain position at will, and the quality to make something out of nothing.
This season, the Brazilian right-back has been an insanely active presser, averaging over 21 pressures per 90, putting him in the 99th percentile for all full-backs. That’s absurd, and it’s something that has its pros and cons. He’s been successful in more than six pressures, but it also means he might leave some wide gaps in the back if it doesn’t work out.
Apart from that, Vanderson receives 6.47 progressive passes per 90, which is one of the highest averages any full-back has this season. The Brazilian has played limited minutes, but has made the most of those minutes, scoring two goals in 13 appearances. Something that helps his case as well as Real Madrid’s is that he can play as a winger as well. Vanderson creates a lot of chances for his opponents, and although he is very, very raw, he has the potential to become something special.
Of course, Vanderson would be a tough buy considering he only joined Monaco this season, but never say never, you know how quickly things can change if Real Madrid is on the phone.
Malo Gusto – Lyon
Last, but not least, Malo Gusto of Lyon. He is the youngest player on this list, and is probably one of the most talented right-backs I know of. This dude is a demon in the offense, and at the age of just 18, he has quickly established himself as an important figure in Lyon’s first team, starting 25 games for them in Ligue 1.
Gusto is actually so important to this team’s success, that according to the numbers, most of their attacks go through him. Per 90 minutes, this kid averages 75 passes as a right-back. Are you kidding me? Those are elite numbers!
Gusto also averages 0.19 assists per game, which puts him in the 84th percentile. He’s a great defender for his age, averaging around three tackles per game, and 2.29 blocks and interceptions (each) per game. I know for a fact that this guy is going to go places once he gets even better.
Gusto’s game is way ahead of his age, and I really think that he’d be a pretty expensive purchase. But, I’d also add that he’d be worth every single penny that Real Madrid put together for him, if they choose to do so, of course.
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I don’t know if Lyon would be tempted to sell him, but as I said, Real Madrid can be very persuasive, and it can give Lyon a chance to ask for some extra cash just because it’s Real. I really hope the club is looking at these players even if we’re not hearing any rumors for many of them, and time will tell if that proves to be true.