If captain Sergio Ramos insists on leaving after this season, it will be a huge loss for Real Madrid despite the fact that he will turn 35 in March. Statistics prove the center-back is Los Blancos’ worst-selling position in the new millennium.
During his first term as president at Real, Florentino Perez faced a similar difficulty now when he found the legendary heir Fernando Hierro. Those were the days that Perez pursued the “The Milky Way” policy, alongside developing native players who were raised directly in the academy. All of Francisco Pavon, Alvaro Mejia or left-back Raul Bravo, have been used in center-back.
By the summer of 2004, Real decided to change the shopping policy for this area when he brought in Walter Samuel from Roma for 25 million euros, as well as spent 18.3 million euros in the case of Jonathan Woodgate from Newcastle. Both of these names were unsuccessful.
By 2005, Real played big when spending up to 30 million euros to buy Ramos from Sevilla but initially, Los Blancos brought him back to serve the right corridor. Perez resigned in January 2006, but Ramos remained and even became a Bernabeu legend.
During the time Perez was not present at the “White House”, from 2006 to 2009, Real bought four more midfielders, Fabio Cannavaro (7 million euros), Gabriel Heinze (12), Ezequiel Garay (10) and Pepe (30). Ramos only plays the role occasionally, but has never been scheduled to kick the center-back.
By the time Perez returned as president, Real was progressively wiser when he bought three names Raul Albiol (15 million euros), Ricardo Carvalho (8) and especially the unknown player Raphael Varane for 10 million euros. Surprised people in 2011.
Real misses the time these 3 midfielders were together
But Varane has grown rapidly so that together with Pepe and Ramos (now the center-back), they form the most solid defense in Europe. That’s why, from 2011 to 2019, Real only bought one more central defender, Jesus Vallejo (5 million euros).
At this time, Real has more Nacho Fernandes from the academy and the rookie received many expectations of Eder Miliato with a transfer price of 50 million euros in 2019. Miliato was bought to “clear the way” for the departure of Ramos but with what has shown, former Porto midfielder is still not worthy.
Therefore, because it takes too long not to spend money to buy midfielders or to spend money is also ineffective, Real will have a lot of difficulties in finding someone to fill Ramos’s position if he leaves . At this time, the two brightest names are David Alaba and Pau Torres but still have to wait and see the “cool” of Perez.
