Could a midfielder play as a right back if necessary?

Real Madrid should have Lucas Vázquez available against Inter Milan after an injury scare, but an intriguing backup idea has been raised.

The Whites suffered two serious injuries at the right-back position earlier in the season, in addition to injuries to other players on the roster, such as midfielder Martin Odegaard. Both Dani Carvajal and Álvaro Odriozola are still out, prompting Lucas Vázquez to start as a right-back for Real Madrid in recent games.

Vázquez, to the surprise of many, has been excellent. His versatility helped him maintain a spot on the roster this summer, and he is flourishing as a right-back, having been one of the best players on the Barcelona field.

Hopefully, Vazquez’s injury scare is just that: a scare. There is optimism that Vázquez will be available against Inter Milan.

If not, Central Defense reported that Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has considered playing with Fede Valverde in the right-back position against Ferland Mendy. Whites could play with Mendy on the right side with Marcelo on the left, but Central Defense says it would not be ideal to face Marcelo against Achraf Hakimi.

Fede Valverde could do the job as Real Madrid’s right back if necessary

Because of how badly Marcelo played against Cádiz and even against Huesca, whose only goal was due to Marcelo’s mistake by not following a runner, that would be reasonable. Against a dynamic and explosive right-back like Hakimi, Marcelo could be very exposed.

As for Fede, the right-back is not his ideal position, but with Eder Militao out due to COVID-19 and Vázquez’s situation uncertain, it is difficult to think of a better option. Valverde has played like a wide midfielder when Zidane rolls with five midfielders, running up and down the flank and providing plenty of attack and serve width, as well as frequent ball recoveries.

Basically, Valverde is a great footballer. You can play virtually anywhere, even as a professional midfielder. Fede is one of the most complete midfielders you’ll see, having even added goals to his repertoire with great finishes this season. Valverde is tied with Karim Benzema as Real Madrid’s leader in goals so far in the 2020-2021 La Liga campaign with three.

Hopefully, Real Madrid won’t have to start Valverde on the right-back in the near future and, hopefully, Vázquez will be able to continue to be in good health for Los Blancos. Vázquez has been tremendous as a right back, to the point where it seems like that could be his usual position for the Merengues up front, even on the right back. His energy and participation in the attack are also active there.

But if Zidane needs an emergency backup for emergency backup, the 22-year-old is worth considering. It may sound harsh to say this, but Valverde on the right and Mendy on the left could be a better duo than Mendy on the right and Marcelo on the left.