Valverde thrives at right-back despite long-standing preference for midfield

Fede Valverde delivered a standout performance at right-back for Real Madrid against Villarreal, suggesting the position could become a significant tactical option despite his repeated admission that he does not feel comfortable playing there.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Valverde began the match in midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni. The pairing failed to produce the desired balance, prompting Jose Mourinho to separate them. The change allowed both players to improve, while Valverde became increasingly influential after moving towards the right flank.

Just before half-time, Arda Guler and Valverde exchanged positions. The switch was maintained after the interval and helped Real Madrid regain their shape. Vinicius Junior then replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 52nd minute, with Valverde moving into the right-back role.

From there, the Uruguay international covered the entire right side and created Diomande’s goal with a precise assist. His influence extended well beyond that moment.

Valverde created three chances, the joint-highest total for Real Madrid alongside Diomande. He also completed 12 passes in the final third, second only to Guler’s 18. Defensively, he made four ball recoveries, two interceptions and one clearance, won four of five duels and successfully completed his only attempted tackle. He was not dribbled past once.

The display came after Valverde had missed Uruguay’s international fixtures while recovering from an ankle sprain suffered in a heavy challenge by Kang-in Lee during the Madrid derby. Lee was not punished for the incident, but Valverde remained at Valdebebas to continue his rehabilitation rather than join his national team.

Real Madrid’s medical staff initially believed he could return against Roma, although a comeback against Villarreal appeared less likely. He made it back in time and produced an influential performance that turned an unlikely return into a significant contribution.

A regular option on the right

Valverde has started all nine matches this season and has been one of Real Madrid’s most heavily used players. Only Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappe have played more minutes, completing 810 each, while Valverde has featured for 744 minutes.

Before the Villarreal match, his regular position had been in a double-pivot midfield role, either alongside Tchouameni or another team-mate. That was also where he played during pre-season. Mourinho’s decision to move him first into a false-winger position and then to right-back changed the course of the game.

Valverde previously made his feelings clear at a news conference in Almaty in September 2025, saying: “I was not born to play at full-back, nor did I grow up learning to play in that position. I do not feel comfortable because there are many things and abilities I do not have, such as defensive cover behind me.”

He added that he remained “at the coach’s disposal, in any position”.

Xabi Alonso was Real Madrid’s manager at the time, but he was not the first to use Valverde at right-back. Zinedine Zidane tried him there before Carlo Ancelotti used his qualities on the wing. Valverde helped create a goal for Vinicius Junior as Real Madrid won their 14th Champions League title, while Ancelotti also deployed him at right-back when necessary, joking that he was “the third-best right-back in the world, after Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez”.

Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa also used him in the role, followed now by Mourinho.

Valverde has played 116 matches on the right side in various advanced positions, out of 381 appearances for Real Madrid. That represents 30.5% of his total matches, including 35 appearances specifically as a right-back.

His latest performance showed that, even if the position is not his preference, Valverde can still make it his own.