Marcelo’s Legacy Continues: Real Madrid’s Promising Heir, Alphonso Davies
It’s no secret that since Marcelo left, Real Madrid has had difficulties at left defender.
Being the most decorated player in the club’s history meant that filling his shoes would not be easy. However, the Spanish powerhouses have yet to replace the Brazillian and Eduardo Camavinga is frequently used as a makeshift left defender. This is nearly two years after the Brazilian left.
They may have at last discovered a long-term solution in Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich, if reports are to be believed.
Los Blancos appear to have reverted to their tried-and-true strategy of acquiring the top players available for their position.
With a WhoScored rating of 7.30, Davies is the finest left-back in Europe’s top five leagues and the second-highest-ranked defender in the Bundesliga. Davies has already shown himself to be at the elite level.
How much is Alphonso Davies worth? What is his transfer value?
Davies now has an estimated transfer value (ETV) of €59 million according to FootballTransfer’s Player Valuation Model. He is now the world’s most valuable full-back as a result.
Because of their club status, Real Madrid is in a strong position to draw the top players, even from the biggest European teams like Bayern Munich.
The summer of 2025 marks Davies’ contract’s expiration, and he has not yet consented to a renewal. Madrid and the player are reportedly in verbal agreement to sign him in 2024 or 2025.
Florentino Perez is willing to make a summertime deal at a reduced cost, similar to what they did in 2014 when they signed Toni Kroos from the Bavarians. Like they did with the recent signings of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, he is content to wait and sign him the following year on a free transfer.
In either case, the 14-time Champions League winners will consider this a huge victory.
The numbers: how does Davies fit into the Galacticos of Madrid?
This season, 4-3-1-2 has been a very effective formation under manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach may decide to stick with this style and start the Frenchman and Vinicius Junior as the two forwards in light of the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe the following season.
The left and right fullbacks offer the width in attack, and the four midfielders play in a small diamond shape to occupy the middle zones.
Ferland Mendy is a fantastic defender, but manager Carlo Ancelotti understands that this type of system requires a left-back who can contribute more offensively. Davies outperforms the majority of players in his position in this regard.
The Canada international is far ahead of both Mendy and backup Fran Garcia, logging 2.74 touches in the penalty area per ninety minutes, surpassing Marcelo’s 2.43 touches from the 2019–20 campaign.
His ability to outmaneuver the opponent will give players like Bellingham greater room to maneuver.
Davies uses his lightning-fast speed and dribbling prowess to make 2.99 successful take-ons and 4.13 carries into the final third per 90 minutes to get into these dangerous zones. These stats rank him in the top five European leagues as well as among the finest full-backs in the German top division.
Along with contributing goals and assists, Davies also outperforms Marcelo, Mendy, and Garcia in terms of vital passes made (1.72) and goal-creating actions (0.57) per 90.
Marcelo, however, not only supplied defensive stability but also produced a lot of offensive output. What is Davies’ current ranking?
The 23-year-old is in the top 2% of full-backs in the Bundesliga with a 66.7% aerial win rate and 8.77 recoveries per 90, which is an improvement above Marcelo, Mendy, and Garcia’s stats. In addition, he intercepts and makes more tackles than the other three.
He is known as the “roadrunner” for good reason—his quick recovery time enables him to contribute offensively while making crucial defensive plays.
It is understandable why Madrid is eager to sign the former player for the Vancouver Whitecaps. They can quickly improve both their attacking and defensive options, and they can use one of the most potent left sides in recent memory.
