Since we announced Real Madrid‘s signing of David Alaba six months ago, you’ll have heard talk about the Austrian footballer’s”versatility and other such synonyms. By this stage, you’ll no doubt know that he can play as a left-footed centre-back (a profile of player that has been lacking at Los Blancos for some time) or as a left-back or as a central midfielder. He discovered this last position seven years ago when Pep Guardiola was at the club and Alaba is grateful because, thanks to the coach’s vision, he learned how to do everything. From pressing the opponent to building play to joining in attacks as a surprise option, making the most of his power and great ball skills. He applied his skills to various positions to the point where he became one of the most respected utility players in world football.
This is one of the main reasons why Alaba can, in theory, be considered an extraordinary signing. He was the most highly sought-after piece in the free agent market, wanted by various European clubs because he can do many things and he can do them well. I say in theory because performance isn’t guaranteed based on a player’s past, with Eden Hazard proving this. Yet, Alaba‘s past is what it is. He spent 11 seasons at Bayern Munich and played 487 matches, winning two Champions League titles, 11 Bundesliga titles and six DFB-Pokal. Demanding matches are his natural habitat. He debuted in Germany at the age of 17 and, on April 25 2012, at just 19 years of age, he took and converted the first penalty kick in the epic penalty shootout at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in a Champions League semi-final. Real Madrid‘s European dream was ended when Sergio Ramos missed his penalty. Now, nine years later, Alaba arrives to replace Ramos.
So, we know that Alaba is versatile and experienced. Those who follow German football intensely define him as strong, dynamic, fast and powerful, with a physical way of playing and great touch too. He has what it takes, clearly. He’ll need all of this because he arrives at Real Madrid with the complicated mission of replacing the club’s best ever centre-back. The doubt is if, as well as everything outlined above, Alaba will have the same kind of leadership, which is essential because there will be a need for it. (Raphael Varane, by the way, never was that kind of leader). In Munich, they state that Alaba has plenty of personality. That’s what the authoritative figure of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, calling him “the black Beckenbauer“. “He was the first player since Beckenbauer to take the reigns of the entire team from central defence, developing this same character, and we needed a boss of the back line, someone who could set the tone like David has done,” Rummenigge added. Now, Alaba has the challenge of replacing Sergio Ramos. He has the challenge of showing, as well as being versatile across centre-back, left-back or central midfield, that he can be a leader.
