Quest for Real Madrid’s new right-back game changer

Real Madrid is embracing a new era of talent, gradually transitioning their team with emerging stars like Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde.

Their recent signings, including Fran Garcia from Rayo Vallecano, strengthen the defence and ignite competition with Ferland Mendy for the coveted left-back position. As Real Madrid forges ahead, these moves showcase their commitment to excellence and promise an exhilarating season.

Real Madrid’s recent signing of Garcia may have been overshadowed by the arrival of Jude Bellingham, who joins Borussia Dortmund for an impressive fee of €103 million plus add-ons. This high-profile acquisition emphasizes the fierce competition in the midfield department at Real Madrid.

However, in contrast, the right-back position remains relatively unchallenged. With Dani Carvajal as the first-choice right-back, supported by Lucas Vázquez and Nacho Fernández as capable backups, this squad area seems to enjoy stability and assurance.

Despite their non-traditional positions, when Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid’s regular right-back, is unavailable, Vázquez and Nacho step in. However, Carvajal’s statistics in comparison to other right-backs across Europe’s top five leagues are underwhelming.

He ranks in the 33rd percentile for tackles per 90 minutes, with only 0.98 successful tackles per 90, as per FBRef. This raises the importance of their backup players and the need to address Carvajal’s tackling efficiency in Real Madrid’s defensive lineup.

Lucas Vázquez shines in tackles, boasting impressive rates of 2.54 per 90 and a success rate of 1.60 per 90, ranking him in the 81st and 83rd percentiles. However, Dani Carvajal’s integral role becomes evident in his superior stats for blocks and clearances, placing him in the 67th and 69th percentiles, respectively. Carvajal’s contributions go beyond tackles, solidifying his significance on the field.