Ranking and Grading Real Madrid's Defenders on Form so Far This Season
The records keep on tumbling at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.
The European Champions are in irresistible form, with arguably the greatest group of attacking players ever assembled crushing all in their path.
In the midst of this glut of offensive options, it is easy to forget the men who make the wins possible from the other end of the pitch—the defenders.
Real can call on a talented pool, from stalwarts like Sergio Ramos and Pepe to future stars Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal.
In between fist-pumping as the goals fly in, there is still dirty work to be done in defence. Here’s a look at how Los Blancos’ eight defenders grade (on a scale ranging from A+ to E-) as the season nears the midway point…
8. Fabio Coentrao: Grade D
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The Portuguese full-back has rarely featured for Los Merengues this term. The 26-year-old has much still to offer as a player, but with Marcelo an impossible obstacle to overcome at left-back, Coentrao will need to find a new club in order to gain more playing time.
Alex Harris of the Daily Star reports a rumour from Fichajes that the ill-fated transfer to Manchester United which failed to materialise in 2013 may be rejuvenated.
With minimal playing time it is not possible to grade Coentrao any higher than a D.
7. Nacho Fernandez: Grade C-
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The 24-year-old is a neat and tidy defender who has acquitted himself adequately when called upon. Nacho has started twice in La Liga* and has made two appearances in the Champions League,* according to WhoScored.com, proving that Carlo Ancelotti has a certain amount of faith in the man born in Madrid.
Nacho is the perfect squad player, able to play in any position in the back four and happy to sit on the bench with no fuss.
As with Fabio Coentrao, Nacho’s lack of game time means it is hard to grade him highly, although his willingness to play a bit-part role places him above the Portuguese international.
*Information accurate as of December 14, 2014.
6. Raphael Varane: Grade C
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The man Jose Mourinho called “the best young defender in the world” in an interview with Yahoo (h/t Sky Sports) has struggled to nail down a starting spot this term. If the French international is patient he can expect to replace Pepe when the Portuguese international moves on.
The 21-year-old has already voiced his discontent at the lack of playing time, however, as reported in the Daily Star.
Varane’s Champions League performances have been solid, especially alongside Pepe, but forward progress in terms of improvement has not been made. Carlo Ancelotti prefers to bring Alvaro Arbeloa on as a substitute to close out games—for this reason Varane comes in behind the Spanish full-back in this list.
The top five come next...
5. Alvaro Arbeloa: Grade B-
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This season has seen Alvaro Arbeloa firmly dislodged as No. 1 right-back in Real's La Liga starting 11 by young gun Dani Carvajal. Despite this fact, the 31-year-old has performed solidly when called upon, especially in the Champions League, where he has started five out of six group games.
Arbeloa was the standout performer in both games against former club Liverpool and grabbed a goal in the 4-0 victory against Ludogorets in the final group game.
The Spain international fulfills an important role from the bench in La Liga, with Carlo Ancelotti often introducing the right-back to close out games.
The consummate professional, Arbeloa has done all that has been asked of him. He doesn't have quite enough starts to earn a top grade, so B- is a fair assessment.
On to the top four…
4. Dani Carvajal: Grade B+
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Dani Carvajal has made the right-back spot firmly his own this season.
In a year which has seen the diminutive 22-year-old gain his first full-international caps, the Real Madrid youth product can be more than satisfied with his career progression.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted to play the young Spaniard solely in La Liga, and part of his success this season can be put down to the recovery time gained in European weeks.
A recent injury against Granada is the only blot on Carvajal’s season, but expect the man from Leganes to come back as good as ever as the season progresses.
Just the top three to go…
3. Pepe: Grade A
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Pepe is arguably the biggest weak spot in Real Madrid’s armour. The Portuguese defender is quite willing to antagonise the opposition to gain an advantage, but this can easily backfire to the detriment of his team.
The former Porto player’s attitude has changed dramatically this year. Pepe has not received any yellow cards in the league,* per WhoScored.com, and has looked assured in all that he has done.
His header to put Los Blancos ahead in the 3-1 El Clasico win can go down as the highlight of the season so far for centre-back.
The man christened Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira is performing like a player who knows the end of his career at the Bernabeu is not far off. Sergio Ramos may hope that moment is sooner rather than later if Pepe continues to carry out manoeuvres such as the one seen here.
Two to go...
2. Marcelo: Grade A
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Marcelo has put the disappointment of Brazil’s embarrassing exit from the World Cup far behind him.
The left-back has been an ever-present in all competitions. At 26 years old the dynamic Brazilian is coming into his prime and now strikes the perfect balance between defence and attack.
The success of Marcelo’s partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo on the left side can be considered a major factor in the Portuguese superstar’s prolific scoring rate this season.
There is little more Marcelo could have done to better his form so far this season other than adding a few more goals to his eight assists in all competitions.
That leaves one defender who receives the highest grade…
1. Sergio Ramos: Grade A+
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Last season will go down as one of the greatest for the club’s vice-captain.
Ramos’ offensive abilities became a vital weapon in Los Merengues' march to Champions League glory, with a brace in the semi-final 4-0 away victory at Bayern Munich and a last-gasp equaliser in the final epitomising an innate will to win. The Spaniard’s Ballon d’Or nomination was completely deserved.
The World Cup winner has consolidated his position as one of the world’s premium defenders in the 2014-15 season. The Andalusian-born star was a young upstart when he started his career alongside the original Galacticos of Zidane, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.
Now Ramos is the veteran leading his team by example and fully deserves his mark of A+.
Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com.
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