Real Madrid: Say Adios to Alvaro Arbeloa and Welcome Back Daniel Carvajal

Real Madrid have an underperforming right-back in Alvaro Arbeloa, whilst Bayer Leverkusen has a right-back with world-class potential in Daniel Carvajal.

Which club did Dani come from? Real Madrid Castilla, Los Blancos’ B team.

This article will tell you why next season, Carvajal must replace Arbeloa as Los Merengues’ starting right-back.  

Current Situation with Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Carvajal

Alvaro Arbeloa's Deteriorating Form 

Whenever he's out of position, he just dives into low-percentage tackles. 

José Mourinho's Chelsea won the 2004-05 Premier League on the back of positional discipline, high-percentage tackles and good decision making. 

Alvaro's playing style this season is the antithesis of what Mourinho expects from his defenders (mind you, Real Madrid in general have broken down repeatedly at the back). 

 

Fun Facts

• Since 2011, Arbeloa has scored more own goals (2) than actual goals (0). 

• He managed to get two yellow cards in succession for dissent vs. Galatasaray whilst Real attempted to shut up shop as the Turkish club charged forward. 

• This season, Alvaro is the only player in the UEFA Champions League to receive two red cards.

Daniel Carvajal's Buyback Clause

Gerry Wittmann at Bundesliga Fanatic mentioned Real Madrid management negotiating a buyout clause into Dani's contract with Bayer Leverkusen:

"

Real Madrid have a buy-back option on Carvajal for the first three seasons of his contract, meaning that Real Madrid would pay an estimated €6.5 million if they want the youngster back after one season, €7 million after two seasons and approximately €8.5 million after his third season.  

"

According to El Confidencial (via Tribalfootball.com), Los Blancos owner Florentino Pérez told Carvajal: "You will be back here next season."

In addition, @Realmadridplace tweeted:

"

Dani Carvajal (Bayer): Real Madrid is the best club in the world, who wouldn't want to return there? [Marca]

— SB (@Realmadridplace) January 11, 2013"

Daniel Carvajal Better Defender Than Alvaro Arbeloa

Daniel Carvajal beats Alvaro Arbeloa in every single important defensive metric available. 

Subjectively speaking, Dani does leave a few holes at the back and sometimes overcompensates with a rash tackle, but he's a two-way footballer.

Alvaro has no excuse for having bad positional awareness given that he offers nothing in the attacking third. 

LEAGUE ONLY	TPG	TPF	IPG	TA%
Arbeloa	2.8	1.2	1.6	75
Carvajal	3.8	2.5	3.7	83

TPG = tackles per game, TPF = tackles per foul, IPG = interceptions per  game, TA% = tackling percentage

Daniel Carvajal Better Attacker Than Alvaro Arbeloa

Another reason why Daniel Carvajal should be Real Madrid's starting right-back next season is because he's an X-factor going forward. 

The Spaniard would have a lot more assists if his partner in crime, Gonzalo Castro, didn't persistently choke in front of goal. 

It's gotten to the point where Castro just passes the ball to avoid the ignominy of missing.

Even when Castro moves into the heart of midfield, Sidney Sam and Karim Bellarabi haven't been decisive enough. 

So, Alvaro Arbeloa's two assists is in the ballpark with Carvajal's five, but in reality, the Bayer Leverkusen right-back is substantially better as an offensive threat. 

LEAGUE ONLY	A	SCPG	DPG
Arbeloa	2	0.7	0.5
Carvajal	5	1.3	1.9

A = assist/s, SCPG = shots created per game, DPG = dribbles per game

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Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, Fox Soccer and Squawka.com.