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#3 David Alaba
David Alaba, widely regarded as one of the best active centre-backs in the game, moved to Real Madrid this summer after a fruitful decade-long stint at Bayern Munich.
Still only 29, the Austrian defender scored 33 goals and provided 56 assists in over 400 games in all competitions for the Bavarian giants, winning two continental trebles and ten Bundesliga titles.
Before transitioning to centre-back, Alaba had made his name at left-back. His versatility could make him an upgrade on Varane and help endear himself to the Real Madrid faithful.
Alaba, who has arrived on a four-year contract in the Spanish capital, said after signing for Real Madrid:
“Not many clubs offered me a deal, but Real Madrid were surely at the top of my own list. Like Bayern, they’re one of the world’s biggest clubs with such a special history and tradition. There have been so many great players and great wins and titles in the history of Real Madrid that I wanted to join the club and continue that history of success with them and the fans."
#2 Jules Kounde
After a breakthrough season with Sevilla, Jules Kounde is the subject of interest from many top clubs across the continent, one of them being Real Madrid.
The 22-year-old Frenchman arrived at the La Liga club in the summer of 2019 and has been a standout performer. Kounde has impressed so much at Sevilla that the club apparently rejected a €50 million bid, which was at least €30 million short of their valuation of the youngster.
With the player also expressing his desire to move to a bigger club, Sevilla might lower their valuation of Kounde if Real Madrid arrive with another offer.
If he arrives in the Spanish capital, Kounde could be an upgrade on Varane, thanks to his superior tackling prowess and other defensive attributes.
#1 Eder Militao
Like his clubmate Nacho, Eder Militao is another ready-made Raphael Varane replacement Real Madrid already have at their disposal.
Since arriving at Madrid two summers ago, the 23-year-old has appeared in over 40 games in all competitions, notching up two goals and as many assists and particularly impressing with his tackling prowess.
With Ramos already gone and Varane possibly leaving as well, Militao looks set to assume greater responsibilities.
After Chelsea beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal, Thiago Silva, who played with Militao for Brazil at Copa America 2021, said as much about his younger compatriot:
“Militao trusts his speed a lot. He’s a very quick guy and sometimes he loses his position a bit because he knows he will track back successfully. I told him to keep going because he was completing a very good season. I’m sure that he will be one of the core players for Real Madrid from now on, after Sergio Ramos’ departure."
