Fede Valverde had his best game of the season in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday night, but it was not the way you would have expected it to happen.
In the first half, Valverde was impressive and had some good defensive contributions. His synergy with Aurelien Tchouameni, as always, was not great by any means, but individually, he was playing decent football.
All of that changed when he was moved to the right side of the pitch, playing as a right-back, and, after Denzel Dumfries came on, as a right midfielder.
He started playing some really good football as a right-back, which is how he also got an assist for a goal by Yan Diomande.
Fede Valverde is better utilised on the right flank
It is getting clear to everyone that Valverde is no longer a great pivot. If he wants to play at his best position as a pivot, he needs a controller alongside him, like Toni Kroos in 2024, and that is no longer present.
However, he is incredible on the right flank, too, as a right-back or as a right-midfielder. He is able to be himself and run at defenders, while also providing width and an abundant amount of defensive coverage.
That, ultimately, would hurt Diomande or Trent Alexander-Arnold, depending on which position he plays at. Real Madrid signed Diomande to be a mainstay on the right side, but if Jose Mourinho keeps playing Vinicius Junior on the left, and understands that Valverde's best position could be the right flank, it could raise a problem for him. Similarly for Trent -- who is barely getting minutes to begin with.
Many reports have made it clear that Valverde is untouchable in the starting XI, which shouldn't be the case. However, if the midfielder is going to consistently play on that flank, it'll only create problems for Diomande.
Who knows, maybe Mourinho looks at him as a winger, but also realises that they have a great player in Diomande, and continues to play Valverde in midfield to make space for the Ivory Coast international.
Time will tell what ends up happening with the Uruguayan's future position, but one thing is absolutely certain: he just does not work in a double pivot anymore. Well, at least not alongside Tchouameni. If Real Madrid want to see his best, they must put Valverde on the right flank. Whether that's as a winger or a full-back is going to be up to the manager.
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