Wednesday, September 18, 2013

CARVAJAL: Right Back in Time



       Galatasaray 1:6 Real Madrid
                 Top Performers


A quick glance at the top performer's chart in Whoscored.com's coverage of Real Madrid's 6-1 Champions League victory over Galatasaray will reveal an unexpected surprise.  In his Champions League debut, Daniel Carvajal (RMC 2002-2012) ranked fourth best performer of the match.  What's more astounding was the fact that Carvajal's rating follows Cristiano Ronaldo's perfect 10 (3 goals/1 assist), Benzema's 2 goals and 1 assist, and Di Maria's 2 assists, respectively.  Not to mention that, according to Whoscored, Carvajal performed better than Isco, whose 33 minute opener allowed Madrid to bulldoze their Turkish opponents [1].  But, if one has followed Real Madrid's season thus far, one should not expect less from one of best defenders of the 2012-13 German Bundesliga.

Come Right Back
"On 12th May 2004, you had the honour of first setting foot at Valdebebas. Your dreams have come true. You are now returning here having been named the best right-back in the Bundesliga".  The words of Florentino Perez resounded all throughout the Santiago Bernabeu stadium as Real Madrid's president presented the club's new defensive acquisition [2].  Many have argued the Leganés should never have left the Spanish capital for Germany last season, while others have praised the club's posture in allowing their academy's graduates secure much needed playing time in foreign soil.  Whether you are for the prior or latter ideology there is no argument that Daniel Carvajal has earned a spot in one of the best club's in the world.

"A Good Investment"
Alarms went off on July 11, 2012 in Madrid when Carvajal agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year contract for €5 million [3].  Many questioned the selling club's stance as the first team only had Alavaro Arbeloa (RMC 2002-2006) as the only true right-back in the squad, while Carvajal was also an integral part in helping Real Madrid's reserve team, Castilla, ascend into Spain's second division the prior season.  To everyone's surprise, Castilla acquired the services of Rio Ave's Fabinho (RMC 2012-2013) on loan [4] to plug the whole left behind by their star defender.  As the transfer window closed, many were left dumbfounded by the kind of business Real Madrid had made regarding their prized youth academy.

Domestic Affairs
To everyone's dismay, Real Madrid Castilla went on to close the 2012-13 Liga Adelante season as the best reserve team in Spain, conceding nine goals less than their fierce rivals , Barcelona B, right behind them [5].  Fabinho went on to play for newly ascended AS Monaco in the French Ligue 1 [6], and Carvajal received a call from a sporting director in Madrid.  Real Madrid were about to begin a new project with a re-elected Perez at the helm.  Having closed the season without a single piece of silverware, Jose Mourinho's time as coach at the Spanish capital came to an end, and the new project was to begin with Carlo Ancelotti in command.  Incidentally, Mourinho left the club with many questions unanswered.  One such dilemma concerned the ownership of the right back position as the Portuguese coach tried five different players who failed to impress [7].  So, the club looked towards their German neighbors and their academy product.

As Bayer Leverkusen finished their 2012-13 Bundesliga season third place behind "kings of Europe" Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Carvajal received his share of accolades.  After 32 matches, the 5 ft 8 in player made it to the Whoscored.com's [8] and Budesliga's team of the season [9] in his first and only season in Germany.  

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@WhoScored GRAPHIC: La Liga WhoScored Team of the Week, Gameweek 4 pic.twitter.com/E1pjW2swkA

When Carvajal received the call back from Real Madrid, he was ecstatic as the "Merengues" have been his childhood team.  They activated the €6.5 million buy-back clause in Carvajal's contract, and he was presented May 12, 2013 as the first player of the new project [10].  In fourth game week into the 2013-14 season, Carvajal appeared on Whoscored's team of the week, this time in the Spanish league with Real Madrid [11].

Though he did cost them €1.5 million, Carvajal has continued his good form since his tenure his northwest Germany.  Since his debut with the first team (August 18, 2013) in the first game of the season, the Leganés has had four appearances and one assist in league [12].  At just 21 years of age, Real Madrid have acquired a much needed defender for years to come.
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