Real Madrid’s €35m push for right back still not working

Real Madrid’s attempt to fix the right-back slot with a total €35 million spend is still yielding no clear solution, with Fede Valverde used as the fallback option. The whole story traces back to Dani Carvajal’s knee injury in October 2024, which ended his role as an undisputed starter there.

In summer 2025, the club paid €10 million for Trent Alexander-Arnold, even though his Liverpool contract was due to finish days later. Under Xabi Alonso, Madrid reached the Club World Cup semi-finals, where they were beaten 4-0 by PSG, but Trent still didn’t settle the position. With Carvajal not at the required level, Valverde was moved to the right side, something the Uruguay international complained about in a press conference, saying "no había nacido para ser lateral".

Mourinho’s right-back dilemma

With Mourinho now in charge, Madrid went for Denzel Dumfries, triggering his clause and paying €25 million to the Inter. The Dutchman arrived with better footwork than Trent, but he still hasn’t fully convinced, and Mourinho even shifted Valverde back to the right against Sevilla.

Ahead of the derby with FC Barcelona, the plan is for Valverde to play as right winger, with Dumfries behind him as a kind of double screen to stop Raphinha. The takeaway is that the Madrid still hasn’t found the right formula for a crucial defensive spot.