What should Real Madrid’s starting defense look like next season?
Ever since the unexpected departure of the renowned centre-back pairing of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane in the same transfer window, Real Madrid has wisely devoted both intellect and money to bolstering the positions.
Eder Militao, who was constantly chastised prior to the duo’s departure, has stepped up tremendously. The addition of David Alaba has also proven extremely successful, as seen by the fans’ unending admiration for the versatile player.
Now, in another significant defensive line reinforcement move, Antonio Rudiger has been signed from Chelsea, making the back four even more robust with plenty of choices currently on the roster.
As of now, various names might be permuted and united to make a good back four, including Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho Fernandez, Antonio Rudiger, and Ferland Mendy, as well as several more from Castilla and others awaiting registration returning from loan.
In this article, I shall focus on running a combination to build the best possible and strongest back four for Real Madrid that I believe is attainable. This is not to say that Real Madrid must go with the combination I propose because the requirements of players based on their ability alter with different game situations, but on an overall basis, I believe that this back four should be the strongest that can be expressed.
Left Back – David Alaba
David Alaba would be the best choice for the left wing-back position to start with. The versatile player is also at ease at left-back, where he can provide the ideal balance of primary defensive duties and secondary offensive assistance, something that Real Madrid’s wing-backs are in great demand for.
Without a doubt, Ferland Mendy, who now holds the position on the squad, is a fantastic ball defender, but sadly, it is pretty much the only area in which he excels. The Frenchman has suffered with dribbles and teaming up with his attacking counterparts, adding little to the team’s attacking actions.
Our Austrian pick, on the other hand, beats out Mendy in the same bracket. Alaba demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and responsibility to charge forward as the team’s main centre-back last season and excelled in doing so, and if anything, shifting him to the wing would only give him more leeway to do so and offer far more to the attack than Mendy does.