Opinion: 3 Players who could replace Luka Modric at Real Madrid

#1 Fabian Ruiz

Age: 23

Club: Napoli

Market Value: €60 million

SPAL v SSC Napoli - Serie A

The last player on this list is perhaps the one we think Real Madrid should make their number one priority next summer; Napoli's Fabian Ruiz. The Spain international was already linked with a host of top clubs this past summer, including Manchester City and Madrid's biggest rivals FC Barcelona, and rumours have recently arisen about Madrid being in talks for him.

Ruiz started his youth career at EF La Union de Los Palacios, his local side, before joining the Real Betis youth academy in 2004, and went on to represent the B team for two years between 2014 and 2016, while occasionally turning out for the senior side, making his debut in 2015.

In the 2017/18 season, Ruiz became a regular starter for Betis under Quique Setien as the Seville-based side secured qualification for the Europa League. He would not represent them in that competition, however, as he moved to Napoli in 2018 after they triggered his then €30 million release clause.

Fabian Ruiz is perhaps the most similar to Modric on this list

Besides the obvious advantage of Ruiz being classified as a homegrown player, there is the other, more important aspect of him being one of the most similar players to Modric, anywhere in Europe, as well as him being able to do it for a top club in a top division.

He completes nearly 64 passes per game, at a completion rate of 90.4%, as well as providing 1.6 key passes (passes leading to shots) per game. He has a fairly clean approach to his game, committing less than one foul a game and completing 1.5 tackles at a 70% success rate, making 1.5 interceptions to boot.

These numbers are likely to improve with experience, and his already impressive 1.6 completed dribbles per game at a 76% success rate should also show an uptick.

Ruiz also provides a goal-scoring threat from distance. His 2.6 shots per game are double of what Modric averages, and 85.7% of them are taken from outside the 18-yard box.

In addition, he manages to land 61.5% of them on target, which could also cause problems for goalkeepers, creating spillages for forwards to clean up.

Madrid would have to pay through the nose to get Ruiz, but if they do, they can be rest assured that they will in no way, shape or form, miss Luka Modric for the next 10 years at least.