Real Madrid could be in the market for a new right-back in the summer 2022 transfer window. Although they have one of the best right-backs in the world in Dani Carvajal, recurring injuries this year have made the Spanish international difficult to rely on. Given their backup option is a right-winger in Lucas Vazquez, Madrid need another solution at the position.
Carvajal has, once again, struggled to get on the pitch and look fit when he is available. Vazquez has been serviceable at right-back, but the defensive issues will always be there when he is on the right-hand side as it is not his natural position. Real Madrid are in desperate need of a proper right-back, and the lack of such players was seen against PSG in the first leg of the Round-of-16 when Kylian Mbappe dribbled past Lucas Vazquez to score the match-winner. Real Madrid need a long-term solution and need someone who will make the right-back position his own for the near future.
Real Madrid have shown interest in the 24-year-old right-back, Noussair Mazraoui, who will be a free agent at the end of the 2021-2022 season, and there is a very real chance he leaves Ajax at the end of the campaign.
The 24-year-old has started the 2021/22 season strongly, chipping in with five goals and four assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. He also has two assists in the Champions League. The above visual shows us the attacking and creativity metrics for Mazraoui from the UEFA Champions League. The right-back has attempted 7.589 attacking actions per 90 minutes and has been able to complete 52% of these actions. He has been ranked highly for the number of dribbles he attempted down the right flank and also has a high success rate.
The above visual shows us the pass sonar for the right-back and also his pass start locations. The pass sonar indicates most of his passes have been forward passes as Ajax play a more direct style of football which is similar to Real Madrid’s style of play. His pass start locations show us the different locations from which he has imposed a high threat to the opponent’s defense. The xT timeline indicates that he has also been a huge threat throughout the 90 minutes in his games.
Mazraoui has attempted 16.09 defensive actions per 90 minutes and has completed 76.42% of these defensive actions. He has attempted 10.02 defending duels and 3.04 loose ball duels per 90 minutes. He has attempted several duels in the opposition’s half, which indicates that he can press higher up the pitch. He is a tall defender and can also be useful in the opposition box in set-piece situations.
Real Madrid need someone who can provide attacking firepower and can help their front three in the attacking transition. Real Madrid have relied on their full-backs for creating chances in the final third for several years now, but that has not been happening from the right flank recently as their options in the position have not been consistent enough. They also need someone who knows the position defensively better than Vazquez. Mazraoui can definitely solve these problems for Real Madrid. The Moroccan is drawing interest from notable clubs across Europe, which is why the Los Blancos must act fast if they are in pursuit of the right-back.
