Fede Valverde’s role

[u/ColdAd3682]

I posted this about a week ago and I’m bringing it up again because I still can’t fully understand what role Fede Valverde is being given under Xabi Alonso this season. In the opening La Liga game, he was almost completely nullified — hardly on the ball, with most of Madrid’s progression funneled through other channels. In the second match, his involvement improved and he saw more of the ball, but even then his role wasn’t very clear. Against Celta in the third game, we again saw flashes of his usual energy with some key interceptions and vertical runs, yet he still didn’t look like the Valverde we’re used to — the one constantly influencing transitions, breaking lines, and being decisive in the final third.

From what I’ve observed, he’s often positioned higher up the pitch compared to last season, almost acting as a wide right interior who balances the structure rather than dictating play. Personally, I think his best position would be deeper, in a double pivot alongside Tchouaméni, where he can combine his work rate with ball recovery and still drive forward when space opens up. Right now, though, it feels like he’s being used more as a stabilizer, tasked with pressing, covering spaces, and making late runs rather than orchestrating the game.

My concern is whether he will remain a guaranteed starter once Jude Bellingham and Camavinga are fully back, given how central those two are to Madrid’s plans. Valverde has always been a fan-favorite because of his versatility and intensity, but I’m worried he’s being sacrificed tactically. As a huge Valverde fan, I just want to know what might truly be the best role for him, and whether he’ll continue to be central to Madrid’s project going forward.

Note: used chatgpt so it would be easy to write 300 words.

[u/Mental_Monitor_4287]

He is not the type of a player who orchestrates games though

[u/Sysyphus8]

Fede Valverde is not being clowned into covering space for three players, that’s all. We are not used to seeing him in a system that recovers the ball well without Fede being run into the ground. And that’s why fickle fans are panicking. As xabi said, Fede can perfectly fit into any system.

[u/HeftyDragonfly619 → u/Sysyphus8]

les fan capricieux les gens vous ete marrant on n’ai au real madrid si il peut pas etre creative en meme temps avoir un gros volume de jeux c'est problématique arreter avec le temps au real y'a pas le temps il fait rien avec le ballon rien un moment donner il à 27 ans il à pas 20 ans il censé rentré dans son prime donc bouge toi

[u/TaMereEnSlip123 → u/HeftyDragonfly619]

Tant quon gagne les matchs, cest tout ce qui compte.

Le systeme de Xabi Alonso a permis aux joueurs davoir de plus de taches defensives. Ce qui allège le travail de Valverde et honnetement, je prefere voir dautre joueur exceller en attaque que de dependre de Valverde pour tout les probleme que le real a du surpasser

[u/Fifa2020jul]

If Xabi wants to control game and have 70-80% possession then players will roam more and we wont see which position they play, simple as that.

[u/pakmendryshe]

Tbh for now I'm happy with Fede's role, he's been able to take a backseat in large thanks to us holding the ball more and not being instructed to cover for other players laziness. As the season progresses he will become more involved, we still have a lot of things to figure out. In my eyes its clear that Xabi wants to focus on wing play and figuring out the best way to feed Mbappe.

[u/Plane_Outside5646]

We should utilise more of fede's shot taking.....

[u/Privatequestions96 → u/Plane_Outside5646]

Yeah last night match I was thinking about that too. Every time I saw Aurélien take a long shot I was wishing that was Fede instead.

Playing as they play now, every line so close to each other, maybe there is less chance of those quick appearances from nowhere and shot in sight at full speed that he used to do?

How could he have more chances of making those rocket like shots?

[u/Plane_Outside5646 → u/Privatequestions96]

I felt like fede is doing more of a box crashing job.....that might be limiting his chances to take long rangers....

[u/Soft-History7344]

When Jude comes back Mastantuono is getting dropped, with Guler moving to the right and Fede and Bellingham in the middle

[u/Fluffy-Walrus3866]

Fede shines when we struggle. He shines when games are open. When teams are staying compact and we have to slowly build up, that’s where others shine like arda. It’s okay to have silent games. Wait for intense games in the season and he’ll be our best player

[u/BigReturn2698]

For your concern about whether he will remain a starter once Bellingham and Camavinga are back... I just want to say that there is no one in current world football who can bench Fede Valverde, so don't worry about his position. Let the guy roam freely on the pitch; he has done a lot of ass wrecking last season.

[u/HeftyDragonfly619 → u/BigReturn2698]

quel dégât football fede a fait a part courir et frapper balle au pied il à fait quoi un moment tout le monde à pris vini mbappe jude rodrygo tchouameni tout le monde sa fait depuis longtemps que balle au pied il propose rien mais au calme il court

[u/Bharad_007 → u/HeftyDragonfly619]

Haven't you seen what fede can do from the club world Cup glimpses. That's how xabi wants to use him. Once jude comes in you will see what he can do. I know what you are trying to say. But that's not his fault. He was supposed to play like that as per tactics.

[u/vixgdx]

Fede does everything well but nothing "best". In a well oiled machine that Xabi is build we need the "best" at each position, simple as that. Arda is more creative and better at passing, so he should be dictating the game. Mbappe is a better finisher, so he should be taking the shots. Fede can pass and shoot but now does the dirty work of taking up space and covering on defense instead. This use to be Jude's role and I'm afraid when Jude comes back, Fede may be benched.

[u/[deleted]]

This OP is really thinking he is on to something 😂.

[u/OnlyHereForVerde]

Box to box 8 - Xabi has said he wants to take more advantage of Fede’s ball striking and put him in more positions to do this

[u/Femriz]

Que bueno que no lo entiendas y que bueno que Fede ya no se desgaste tanto, saludos.

[u/JustAGuyAC]

He's a box to box player. A lot like Gavi at barca for example. Kinda just goes everywhere rrying to go tackle and attack. But not a specific position like playmaker, or cdm etc. So visually it doesn't look like he has a position. But he very much IS participating and doing stuff even of it might not look like it

[u/Ayanokoji575]

Xabi hasn't given me anything not to trust him, I'll just trust the process for now

[u/majoras_mask_1]

Valverde has a good shot but zero creation, once Bellingham returns they could play with four midfielders sacrificing an attacker. It would be 4-4-2 I think where I could play would be in a double team, alongside Tchouameni. But if the same scheme continues to be played and when Bellingham returns, goodbye Fede, to the bench and rotating with Tchou.

[u/TakeshiRyze]

Maybe when Jude returns we can play trio of Fede, Arda and Jude in the midfield. I honestly don't understand why we need Tchouaméni vs weak opponents.

[u/Extension_Phone893 → u/TakeshiRyze]

Because he was a beast in all the last three games and I swear for the last 20 years we've always been worse without a cdm, also Jude and Arda share the same role and most likely won't work well together, however Arda is going to give Jude a run for the money this season, gonna be a good healthy competition.

[u/PlantComprehensive77 → u/Extension_Phone893]

The system when Jude returns is simple. It'll be a midfield diamond of Arda and Jude as the two 10s and Fede and Tchouameni. There'll be a lot of movement and rotation on the pitch.

[u/TakeshiRyze → u/PlantComprehensive77]

Movement and rotation in the same sentence as Tchouameni. Funny guy.

[u/TakeshiRyze → u/Extension_Phone893]

And Fede can not play that CDM role? 2 non creative midfielders is just unplayable at serious level.

[u/kurt_0806]

We’re facing the sad reality that Fede and Tchou aren’t complete players, and their lack of technicality makes them unreliable in a possession based modern tactic. I wouldn’t be surprised that Cama takes his place if he comes back at a good level, Tchou would still have a place in the defense line though.