Real Madrid finally have a worthy heir to Marcelo in Alphonso Davies

There is no secret that Real Madrid have struggled with the left-back position since the departure of Marcelo. 

It was always going to be a tough task to fill the boots of the club's most decorated player. But almost two years after the Brazillain’s departure, the Spanish giants have still not filled that void and often play Eduardo Camavinga as a makeshift left-back. 

If reports are to be believed, they might have finally found a long-term solution in Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies. 

Los Blancos look to have gone back to their tried and tested method of recruiting the best players in their position.  

Davies has already proven himself at the highest level, and with a WhoScored rating of 7.30 is the second highest rated defender in the Bundesliga, and the best rated left-back in Europe's top five leagues, this season. 

Alphonso Davies Transfer Value - how much is he worth? 

As per FootballTransfer’s Player Valuation Model, Davies has a current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €59m. This makes him the most valuable full-back in the world. 

Real Madrid’s status as a club puts them in a formidable position when it comes to attracting the best talents - even from the European giants such as Bayern Munich. 

Davies’ contract expires in the summer of 2025, and he has not agreed to a renewal yet. According to reports, Madrid have already reached a verbal agreement to sign him in 2024 or 2025.  

Florentino Perez is open to doing a cut-price deal in the summer like they did when they signed Toni Kroos from the Bavarians in 2014. But he is also happy to wait and sign him the following year on a free transfer like they did with the recent acquisitions of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger. 

Either way this will be a massive coup for the 14-time Champions League winners. 

The stats - how Davies fits into Madrid’s Galacticos? 

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has deployed the 4-3-1-2 formation to great effect this season. The possible arrival of Kylian Mbappe next season might see the Italian double down on this system and play the Frenchman alongside Vinicius Junior as the two forward players. 

In such a system, the four midfielders play in a narrow diamond shape and occupy the central areas, while the left and right full backs provide the width in attack. 

While Ferland Mendy’s defensive qualities are excellent, manager Ancelotti knows that such a system needs a left-back with greater attacking contribution. This is where Davies stands head and shoulders above most players in his position. 

The Canada international registers 2.74 touches in the penalty area on a per 90 minute basis, which beats Marcelo's 2.43 touches from the 2019/20 season, and is well ahead of both Mendy and back up Fran Garcia. 

This ability of his to stretch the opposition will allow the likes of Bellingham more space in which to operate. 

To get into these dangerous areas, Davies uses his electrifying pace and dribbling ability to make 2.99 successful take-ons and 4.13 carries into the final third per 90. These figures put him among not just the best full-backs in the German top flight, but also in the top five European leagues. 

Davies also chips in with goals and assists, and makes 1.72 key passes and 0.57 goal creating actions per 90, which is also more than the figures of Marcelo, Mendy and Garcia. 

But Marcelo offered such attacking output, while also providing defensive solidity. How does Davies rank here? 

The 23-year-old has a 66.7% aerial win rate and makes 8.77 recoveries per 90, putting him in the top 2% of full-backs in the Bundesliga, and are also an upgrade on the figures of Marcelo, Mendy and Garcia. He also makes more tackles and interceptions than the trio. 

There is a reason they call him the roadrunner, as his recovery pace allows him to make vital defensive interventions while maintaining his attacking contribution. 

It is easy to see why Madrid are so keen to sign the former Vancouver Whitecaps man. They can get an instant upgrade on their current options both offensively and defensively, and deploy one of the most devastating left flanks in recent memory.

This article was provided by FootballTransfers