Real Madrid: Ranking the 5 best players of the 2021/22 season
By Eesh Jhamb
The 2021/22 season came to an end on a very happy note. The players had a good time celebrating the 14th UEFA Champions League title with a win over Liverpool for a second time, the first one being in 2018. Marcelo, Isco, and Gareth Bale chose the best way to end their successful career at the club with three trophies.
The whole team had put up some great displays to win the well-deserved Supercopa de Espana, the 35th LaLiga title, and the 14th UEFA Champions League. It was a collective effort, but I think that these five players have been very key, and the best players of the season for Real Madrid.
5. CB David Alaba
Coming up first is David Alaba. It was his debut season, and what a way to mark that.
David Alaba joined Real Madrid at the start of the season as a free agent signing from Bayern Munich. While many wondered and even questioned the club for signing the Austrian over young talents like Pau Torres and Jules Kounde, it seems like they are all proved wrong.
Real Madrid was right in signing David Alaba. With both the regular starters- Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane leaving the club, it was important to have an experienced defender who can lead the back line. He was given the number 4 which belonged to our former leader, but he managed to keep up with the responsibility that comes with that number.
David Alaba stepped up every time it was necessary and proved his paramount importance to the club. He made Eder Militao a better player and the partnership of the two always bore fruits for Real Madrid.
The fast and versatile Austrian helped in the most crucial stages of the season. His goal-scoring ability is fantastic. Remember his goal in the El Clasico? He scored that out of nowhere!
David Alaba has all the qualities of a fullback. His crossing is awesome, and the way he switches play to the opposite flank with his long balls cannot be undermined. Another reason why David Alaba was suited to Real Madrid is because of his ability to build from the back. When a manager has a player with a vision that is good, he does not need to scratch his head on how to bring creativity to the field.
Coming to the statistics, David Alaba has finished his first season at Real Madrid with a total of 3 goals and 3 assists while averaging 1 tackle, 2.3 clearances, and 0.8 interceptions a game. Being an excellent passer, he completes 92.2% of his passes and averages 1.77 long balls.
To summarise, David Alaba has had a great debut season for Real Madrid and deserves to be in the top 5 best players of the season for the club.