Real Madrid wounded the entire season, but perhaps not felt as much as the absence of Dani Carvajal. Right back has been a problem position throughout the season since he ran a cruciate ligament injury in October with Fede Valverde started playing there.
The 33-year-old has been a position at the back for Real Madrid, and when his pain in the field became clear, Carlo Ancelotti also gave a big headache. For the majority of veteran Lucas Vazquez has filled in for Carvajal, something that he has done well in the past seasons, but on the basis of week to week Los Blancos suffered for his presence in the back line.
Ancelotti has sometimes experimented with Raul Asencio, but for the most part Real Madrid has been operated by their rivals along that side. The use of Valverde there, initially, has now been used eight times this season, with a major effect. His versions against Manchester City and then Atletico Madrid stood out in the Champions League.
According to Relo, Valverde is becoming increasingly comfortable in the position and does not like it at all. Within the club they note that he can be the 'best right back in the world' because of his characteristics, and he is more convinced that it might be the best role for him. When he was used in advance on the right side of midfield, Valverde did not enjoy his task much, but he is warming up to the right.
For his part, Ancelotti plans to use him there in the big competitions for the rest of the season. It is certainly an interesting shift, especially when considering that Real Madrid signs Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold next summer. It may not be a problem to move Valverde back to midfield, but it could be an interesting debate, especially if the Uruguayan 'becomes the best right back in the world.
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