Sensible Transfers: Real Madrid (Summer 2023)
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 07. 2023
- Try The Athletic for FREE for 30 days: www.theathletic.com/tifoirl
📗 Tifo's new book, "How to Watch Football" is now available internationally: linktr.ee/tifobook
Real Madrid dream of signing Kylian Mbappe. That’s not a secret, and not really sensible. And they probably won’t be able to sign him this season. But Real Madrid need attacking options. So which players would be considered wise signings?
Jon Mackenzie makes some suggestions.
Follow Tifo Football:
Twitter: / tifofootball_
Facebook: / tifofootball
Instagram: / tifofootball_
Listen to the Tifo Football podcast:
Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/TifoFootPod
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/06QIGhq...
About Tifo Football:
Tifo loves football. We create In-depth tactical, historical and geopolitical breakdowns of the beautiful game.
We know there’s an appetite for thoughtful, intelligent content. For stuff that makes the complicated simple.
We provide analysis on the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, World Cup and more.
Our podcasts interview some of the game’s leading figures. And our editorial covers football with depth and insight.
Founded in 2017 and became a part of The Athletic in 2020. For business inquiries, reach out to tifo@theathletic.com.
Music sourced from epidemicsound.com
Additional footage sourced from freestockfootagearchive.com
#RealMadrid #RMCF #SensibleTransfers - Sport
Do one for Wolves. Neves, Moutinho, Adama, Coady gone. Collins going. As will likely Raul, Podence, Ait-Nouri. Problem scoring goals, subject to FFP restrictions. Get this summer wrong and there is a difficult few years coming
Small & finished club
why all premier league clubs
deserved for ruining podence's potential.
@@eleonarcrimson858 Podence is terrible. Spicy dwarf who needs to leave asap back to a tin pot league
@@DADofEurope14 All their titles and cups and history makes you look stupid
I don't think Rodrygo as a 9 is a good solution for Madrid, every time we tried that it was obvious he wasn't comfortable in this positon. Perez said that we wouldn't make any more moves for a striker but I think it's a bluff, I mean it really would be idiotic to sacrifice a season for Mbappe, a player who's been snobbing the club for like 3 seasons in a row now.
It’s not bluff
He’s not going to sign mbappe this season
@@eddieherrera5314 well maybe not Mbappe but if we genuinely play with Joselu as our only number 9 this season I will become Perez n1 hater
@@elbalalaw1781 well you won’t be the only hater so…
Pete is prioritising long term success over long term financial trouble and I’m all for it as a Madrid fan
@@eddieherrera5314 real will never have financial problems, perez is too great to let that happing, the thing is, he's too obsessed with mbappe
When he said that last year and the year before he was true to his word haha
As Real Madrid fan, I would love to see classical Ancelotti 4-4-2 diamond. 4 elite midfield, 2 deadly strikers. The AC Milan of old and 2014 Real Madrid. Would suit the current squad situation as well. Tchouameni as DM, Camavinga and Valverde on LCM & RCM respectively with Bellingham as CAM probing for Vini & Rodrygo as Strikers. With Camavinga and Valverde, we'd have plenty cover in the width for the defence too.
you sound like a fifa player
@@W_CPT yes i am 😂
@@kakuite Me too😂
The diamond midfield is just not popular anymore for the modern game, there's a reason why Ancelotti stopped using it since a long time ago.
@@langletprolet8378 i know because of overlapping full backs with wingers probing the spaces, the diamond would just be out numbered. But with Fede's defensive contribution in 2022 to win UCL for Madrid was the main reason we won that year. So with Camavinga and Fede covering the wings with us mostly focusing our play through middle, i am sure Carlo can make it work
Fran Garcia is going to be the first choice left back next season and not camavinga (I hope 🙏). And considering the financial mess Sevilla is in I would say Montiel is a better option for the right back position. It's pretty depressing to think that players like Hakimi, Theo and Frasneda used to play for Madrid and right now they are struggling in the full back position.
Madrid should sign Fresneda and stop messing around fr
Mendy is still first choice LB
I think Mendy might play in the big games, he's just so good defensively
Odriozola was at Fiorentina 21/22 not 22/23
I know it got some mixed reviews, but I love the Lavender Leeds kit
same here, valid taste bro
Will look fab in the championship
The thought of Carlo going "don't worry I'll give you a list of players I think would fit" and settling down, gum in mouth, cigar in hand, for some Tifo IRL is a hilarious thought
Would have loved a discussion on how Mbappé is supposed to fit in that Real team in the first place. He’s not a number 9, in fact he’s said so himself. He needs space for his runs and he needs a striker partner. Mbappé’s been used best in the French national team where they have either Giroud or Benzema on the 9, with Mbappé seizing the space they create for him. I don’t see how that’s going to fit in with Vini and Rodrygo on the wings.
He get a free role in the attack where he can roam and find space i guess cuz this is vini team and he will not be moved from LW for a another player.
Depending on how Rodrygo adapts to the number 9 role, he’ll be getting dropped when Mbappe joins, with Madrid likely signing another striker as well
This is a rebuilding season for us, not only we will wait for Mbappe but also we need a transition into our new midield from Kroos and Modric and see how the younger players play the big UCL games
what about Ancelotti leaving next year, who would you replace him with
@@WithinTheCharts there's speculations about Xabi Alonso or nagelsmann. Even Zidane
Good luck selling a rebuilding season to Florentino. Rebuilding seasons don't exist at Real Madrid, every season they have to go out and compete for every single title there is.
@@juanpabloperezgomez4349It's not a rebuilding season, it's a transition season. It will be the last season for Kroos and Modric, the key Madrid players for the last many years.
Imo Madrid has overshot with midfielders, there's: Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde, Ceballos, Bellingham, Modric, Kroos, and possibly even Guller. I think that Madrid wants to experiment all possible combinations see what works for the future seasons. I'd think that real Madrid will sub all midfielders in many games this season. Perhaps the only midfielder who will play full games is Bellingham.
If Carlo Ancelotti is going to the Brazilian national team, they might want to make a new manager their top priority.
Sam Allardyce isn’t working right now 🤷🏻♂️
They won't go for him real madrid need a tactical coach able to use diff formations we have plenty of cms now meaning formation will need to he twisted maybe a 3 5 2 or 3 43
@@prizefighter8699 Was a joke mate
no thank you for the suggestion, but NO
@@prizefighter8699 3-5-2 u ain't Manchester city 💀
Honestly I'm surprised Bernardo Silva isn't mentioned. He wants a new challenge, he is an elite winger and in fact same technical abilities as Doku if not better. Yes maybe he won't come as cheap but he is an elite signing if you want a Left Footed Winger on the right.
Exactly Madrid hasn't had an elite RW since Bale left. I always will remain surprised how they didn't go for Salah
Silva is too old
They just signed Arda Guler
Sane and Doku suggestion were not good.
I thought Mane would have been a good choice? Can play anywhere across the front 3, is old enough that he won't need a long term deal, but still young enough that he can produce at that level consistently. Probably gettable from Bayern after what's gone on as well...
Mane hasnt been so good in the middle though. Would that be wasting money on wages, because let's not forget Real will need every penny for mbappe.
@desfefe He was outstanding there for us at times. Be a good stop gap, but yeah, wagea could prove a stumbling block, unless they cash in on a few fringe players and/ or get Modric & Kroos off the wage bill...
Madrid doesnt give players over 30 more than 1 year contracts. So they only sign them at 29 and 3 year contracts with optional 1 year
You have a bigger problem. Kylian Mbappe has said multiple times that he doesn't like playing as a centre forward. He wants to come in from the left but Real Madrid already have Vinicius playing there.
I think a redo of the Manchester United sensible transfer video has to be done because every video since has been significantly improved and actually gave your choices like the original sensible transfer videos (which are still the best video imo). That being said every other Sensible transfer video since the United one has still been good.
This season and the next will be a long transition period for Real. Carlo is going to manage Brazil national team, Kroos and Modric could be gone this season or the next as they’re already in the sunset of their careers, most of the defense already in their 30s (Nacho, Rudiger, Alaba and Vasquez) so yeah it will be a long period but I have no doubt that they will still be competitive in Europe especially if they got a competent manager. There’s absolutely no doubt on their winning mentality and I can say that in the near future , Real Madrid could be the only club in the World that’s not owned by international consortium.
I'm disappointed in Tifo mentioning Mbappe as a striker option considering the man has a hissy fit every time his asked to play there for a few games
That's where he'll have to play when he goes there because Vinicius can't play anywhere else
I wish Madrid would listen to you, RB is a position that really needs improvement
So so stupid planning a future around fricking Mbappe. Already lost out last summer thanks to this
Lost Haaland because of Mbappe 😢
I still can’t understand how they can use Vinicius and Mbappe together as they play same position 🤷♂️
True. So annoying how everyone thinks Mbappe is a No9. He had to play there for PSG last season because they had nobody else but he even publicly said he doesnt want to play there. Also almost never plays No9 for France.
@@emperedor1 He was playing like a number 9 that likes to drift to the left when he was playing with Benzema at France NT. When Mbappe plays as striker he doesn't work like a traditional 9, more like a positional striker that roams everywhere, which is basically what Benzema role was for Madrid. It's really not that far fetched to put both Vini and Mbappe in the same team.
The fact that a big club like real madrid willing to risk next season with backup striker just to wait for mbappe is just crazy
Perez is obsessed
Mbappe holds all the cards. He is on ridiculous money at PSG and players know they can ask for more if they move for free, saving the club a transfer fee.
Because Mbappe is the best you can get, Real Madrid knows what happened when the last time they signed the best player in the world for a world record fee
@@kvaradona9248While I know you are talking about CR7, the last time they signed the best player they could was Eden Hazard.
@@sugarkookiewithsometae4245 No, because Hazard wasn't best of the world.
Good video.
Definitely disappointed it's taking so long to get round to the promoted teams though.
In particular, Sheffield United and Luton both have really small budgets, so it would make for a more interesting video to look into what they need, and what they can afford to achieve it.
As much as it's good fun speculating about which world class players might work well at which infinitely wealthy teams, it's more interesting, and more satisfying, to speculate about how to solve problems where money, and presumably the pull of a club, IS a problem, than it is to just look at the top 50-100 performers in Europe and think about which oil club they might slot in well at
As Madrista I agree this Topic to follow up
Because the PL gets enough coverage as it is, they need to do Serie A and especially Napoli and AC Milan
luton r not gonna win a game so doesn't matter
Real Madrid are not an oil club. Money is a problem for all clubs - they don't have unlimited budget and have to balance higher spending against higher expectations. Stop moaning because your local team haven't been picked yet.
@@ulaytube9953 agree with that. Covering other leagues is important too. But it would be good to not just see them hypothesise about some pretty obvious names and how they might fit into the biggest sides in the world.
@xRollyJoel that honestly isn't it. I'm a Sheff United fan, sure, but if anything I'm more interested in what these guys think about Luton, who have got so many obstacles to overcome even more than Sheff United. I just think it's relatively easy, albeit time consuming, to look at the 50 - 100 best or most promising players in Europe, and think about how well they would fit into/solve the problems of sides who could pretty much definitely afford them. I think it's more interesting to look at the relative squad weaknesses* of smaller, poorer teams and how they might realistically solve those problems within their budget and with players who would likely be willing to go to a non-prestige club, with a smaller ground, and who will essentially definitely be in a battle to survive rather than fighting for Europe. It's not about wanting "my local team" covered. It's about thinking it's more interesting to do (and I'm sure many FM players would agree with me, since nobody I know starts a FM career as Man City or Real Madrid)
*"relative squad weaknesses" as in "weak links in the context of the squad", not "weak when compared against the very top teams" because it should go without saying that they're in different markets with different goals, and it's not worth discussing whether or not Luton can manage to build a squad better than Man City on the smallest budget the prem has seen in a generation, and with £10m worth of stadium upgrades required QUICKLY to be up to prem code.
The elite Winger Real Madrid need is not Sane but rather his team mate Kingsley Coman
He has contract until 2027 so it'll be insanely expensive and koman wouldn't want to switch
I think Sane or Gnabry would be good options
any BM player with more than a year left on their contract will be ludicrously expensive
First time I've seen this channel... this was really good!!
Less gooo! can u do one for a mid table pl club pls , love the videos btw ❤
Already done one on Chelsea 😢
@@lukeyboi8070bodied my rented club
@lukeyboi8070 I mean like Bournemouth, Everton etc.
Enjoyed the coining of a new word at 1:23 - Monumentus. A cross of Monumental and momentous I would have to assume?
Do one for lazio, Sarri bringing them back to the champions league and having a thin squad while not having a huge budget will be interesting to see
Would love to know your thoughts on the Arsenal recruitment this season? Potential outgoings and remaining positions to upgrade?
Hello Sir,
I'm from Luton Scouting Team. We really like your videos and were hoping you would make a video on sensible transfers for Luton Town.
Regards
I would really love Sané, one of my favorite players, plus he can play both wings.
Too bad he's not really a Madrid type of signing. They go for world beaters, or recently, young players with huge potential. Except for Joselu because it seems like Perez is waiting for Mbappe.
let's take sané racist to play with Vini, great idea
@@rafaelbaccin6595 sane is racist?
@@NekkusuAka you are blind? Dont remember what he Said to the mané
@@rafaelbaccin6595 just looked it up. ONE Senegalese newspaper claims Sané said something racist and that's why Mané punched him. There is no proof or evidence of this anywhere, just a claim that doesn't list even an anonymous source.
Sané is of Senegalese descent as well (his dad played for the national team) and is, obviously, black. That doesn't mean he CAN'T be a racist somehow towards his own people, but I very much doubt it.
@@Highonwater3X salamaleico
Love having someone like Jon as a leeds fan. As sad as the club is rn he’s still wearing the badge with pride
Most fans are just like that. Especially of non top 6 teams.
I know in the Chelsea vid there were a lot of comments about how you guys were focusing too much on the players that already had rumors behind them, but I think this video does a very appropriate job of striking that balance between focusing on the big-name players and everybody else.
Flo Perez so obsessed with unveiling Mbappe at full capacity new Bernabeu that he'd force Ancelotti to only have Joselu n Alvaro for entire 2023-2024 season.
As for RW post, i believe Perez rate Villareal's Chukwueze very highly. He'll cost fortune tho.
But he's with one year contract
Alvaro?
@@jean-paulwalters8855yeah Alvaro Rodriguez he's 18 years old from Uruguay and he played a few games last season, he will be in the first team this year
If I were RM I'd go in for Firmino, I always thought his game lined up similarly to Benzema's: great technically, progresses the ball loads, and can bang them in.
i'm typically bad at predicting their sensible transfers but at least i got fresneda right 😂
i thought chukwueze from villarreal would be a good option. young, dynamic, technical, and maybe cheaper than most other "elite" wingers.
I love tifo man ,but please move Camavinga from the left back spot. 😭😭 We signed Fran Garcia for that spot.
Camavinga is the perfect replacement for all 11 positions 😂
Mbappe almost never wanted to play number 9 for psg this season, i dont even know why most people now associate him with that role that he obviously won't like to play in and the fact that he will cause problems if u play him in that role!!!
I think a Celtic sensible transfers would be very interesting after just signing a golden boy nominee, a clear connection with the city group and a clear progressive transfer strategy and also the fact ange has moved on, giving Rodger’s another big chance to make an impact
That leeds kit is 💥
I think they will buy Fresneda for sure. Ivan, also graduated from Real's youth academy and he loves the club.
Also, I don't think Joselu is a terrible signing. Essentially what they need this season is just someone "there" up front who can put the ball in the net 15 times, and he's done it regularly for much MUCH worse sides than Madrid. The team may have to adapt a little for any of his weaknesses, but his age and experience will also be valuable to some of the younger players there. He knows he's n9t Mbappe, but he'll still give 110% in training and every time he's on the pitch to make up for it. Would be similar in England if Man U signed Vardy whilst they wait on a long term no' 9...
Well Joselu will be the Wout weghist of real for this season he will be the receiver and distributor for in behind runs from vini and rodrigo and even fede as winger or Don Carlo could be using Diaz as a false 9 with rodrigo and vini as wingers switching up thier position in between games and possibly Up front and defense will be experimented with youngsters from their B teams
@ChrisMDi Yeah, I can see the wide players being their main source of goals this season. That young Brazilian forward will get a look in also I imagine...
@@ChrisMDiAc milan Diaz, I doubt he has the attributes to play back to goal, speed to drop of, spin around and run at defenders/ flick it in behind for Vini and Rodrygo making the diagonal runs in behind, is he even a good presser off the ball?
He's not a no.9, probably used in the no.8/LW-RW positions
While I don't think Madrid will get a RW (Brahim did play wing in Madrid and I think he can do great there, and Valverde will almost always play there this specific season as the midfield is stacked), surprised you didn't consider Chukweze as a sensible option there
Great kit, Jon!
Can you guys do one for Atletico Madrid?
Do an Everton one, they need a rebuild more than anyone at the minute
W Vince fan
Can you please do a video that you gees the primerlig
9:57 you said "future" with Modric in the team😂
Doku is great, one for the future for sure. But, rumors continue to persist about Chiesa moving on from Juventus and if that's the case, I'd be looking at him if I were Real. He's great on the right, also adept on the left, and would provide an immediate starting option for RW while being cover for Vini on the left. Juventus current setup does not suit him and unless they switch to 433, he's the odd man out.
Chiesa's stocks fallen hard after he got that big injury for whole season and he was only okay for Juventus last season.
Surprised Sam Chukuweze wasn't mentioned for the RW position
01:45 Fast forward 10 months, Real Madrid won the Laliga and are in the UCL finals😂
Idk how getting another right footed winger makes sense. Asensio was the only left footed one. There is a need for replacement here
Doku is left footed tho I think that’s the best option for them
Isnt gnabry good considering he plays as centre forward and right wing
Do one for Brighton next
they are going big, if they'll get kudus, he's gonna fill macalister rolle
Valesquez is a winger. You can put him there but it do t change anything
If Real don't sign Mbappé, or another striker this season, I really can't see them competing for anything other than a Copa del Rey as I don't think their forward line as it is can break the 60 goal mark.
Regardless of if they sign a ST or not they should take a look at Rayan Cherki.
As for the RB position I'd be interested in seeing someone like Valverde there as he is an elite carrier of the ball, quick and has the stamina to go up and down the full 90 mins. The midfield is a bit overcrowded and with him moving out to play RB, or RW but this isn't really his best position, the midfield has a remaining 6 players to rotate accordingly. It would also depend on how he takes to the role and feels about playing there, Camavinga filled in at LB out of necessity last season but has talked about how he prefers to play in the center, if Valverde is moved into a lateral area would he be happy to play there as it would mean he would be a starter at Madrid for years to come? Or would he eventually become upset at not playing in his preferred position and maybe ask for a move away?
I also think Valverde on the right would offer up some nice symmetry on the flanks as Fran García is also an elite carrier of the ball.
Valverde already played as a RB against Liverpool in the quarter finals of 20/21 season. He played well, but that's not his favorite position, same with Camavinga.
I think we can sell valverde in future for good money like 120. Get another player because Val isn't a specialist at any position.
@@Ismail-hx4qj????????
It's a very hard position for Real Madrid RW
Doing a sensible transfer for Barcelona with only free agents would be interesting
Nah we want all the smoke this next season
Brighton please
One for Benfica would be very appreciated
Absolutely love Fresneda, he was one of few fullbacks to play well against Vini without excessive fouls/overly physical play. Hala Madrid
Tobias doesn't even start for Real Madrid Castilla. Dani has been awful for the last 2 seasons.
Madrid needs a starter at this position. I would just get Frimpong or Frimpong + Diaby and solve both positions. You can bring Alonso as well)))
Xabi Alonso is coming next year surely the perfect man to take our team to the next level I do think we should sign both tho
Gnabry makes more sense than Sané. He can play both the striker and the right wing role to fill in for Rodrygo and Rodrygo can fill in for Vini on the left. And a striker is more important than a right winger. Rodrigo at right wing isn't it.
Odrizola wasn't on loan in 22-23, he was with us and Tobias has not been with Real Madrid for a couple of seasons, only one season.
Yeah and he forgot that Real Madrid brought back Fran Garcia so left back will be him and Mendy not Camavinga
I Dont reckon Real Madrid is in need of RB but Doku would be valuable purchase for Los Blancos !
Nice video
Do Brentford How to you squad build with your star #9 out for half a season?
Do Bayern Munich please
You rep a burger league merchant kiddo😭
@goatzema934 get a life kid. Do something useful, and by that I don't mean make your irrelevant comments, something useful.
@@DADofEurope14 and u rep a camel in the worst league
@@hellfrost9516bodied that pedo fan
West Ham next please !
Please do a dedicated video on Arda Guller
Kane, Hakimi, & Davies pls 🎁
Kane NO
Because Perez is gonna twerk for Mbappe
Other 2 Yes and Yes
Camavinga is definitely not playing LB this season. Fran Garcia holds that spot.
I will enjoy it if RM throw away this season as you sum the video up with. I don't even believe Mbappe is going to solve their problems losing Benzema either next season.
Do one for Birmingham City please x
Is Camavinga really a good LB? Think he struggled quite a bit vs City in the semi.
Definitely wasted at lb.
Apart from that match he’s been great in any match he’s played there
Even the first leg and the World Cup final
Yes, he's good. But that's definitely not his position. A wasted talent if he plays LB
He struggles with fast technical wingers. If Madrid sell Mendy they will go for Alfonso Davies.
He was injured
I hate to say this as a Bayern Fan and don't want him to leave but Real should buy Pavard from Bayern for the Rightback Position. Especially because he really wants to leave and Bayern already has three great Central Midflieders in De Ligt Upamecano and Kim and two National Team starting rightbacks in Mazrauoi and Stanisic. I think it would be a 50Mio Transfer and Bayerns really needs the money for Kane so they would not say no.
good video, but rodrygo isnt what madrid need as a striker and kroos would start over modric in that midfield. Doku and Fresneda were good shouts though.
can you do one for barca??
Kingsley Coman is also an alternative
His contract lasts until 2027, so it would be very difficult to get him
I have been waiting for this video for my fifa career mode
😂😂😂😂😂😂 get CR7 for one last dance as ST
Should've suggested Diaby for the RW
I honestly can't see Real Madrid signing Doku, it's too "unsexy" for Florentino. Regarding the right back, Fresneda is a bit of a head scratcher for me, he's tremendously rated as a prospect, yet his performances last year were nothing to write home about.
Camavinga will not play as a left back they got Fran Garcia and they still have Mendy, for the left wing they're close to finish the deal of Arde Güler, and sadly I don't think they'll get a striker bcz of of Mbappé so they'll stick with Rodrygo and Joselo for this season
Do one for dortmund please!!!!
Haven't heard about Zané in a while.
The last time I heard about him was his link to Man Siddy but apparently Cazzamiro was in the way. Man, Jon has some strange pronunciations.
Sadio Mane could be a better pick from Bayern, better goal return, can play as a striker if needed and most importantly a big game player. Assume Bayern would be more inclined to let him go after this season.
Leroy Sane could do good at Real Madrid
Funny how that turned out.
No mention of Doku's injury history? 🤔
Just sign Kane and Cancelo for heavens sake
Could u make an Ajax sensible transfers?
Aston Villa please
If you get Mbappe, you'll need to buy Giroud as a package deal to play as a central 9. 😄🤣
Simple. The need a striker pronto. Joselu is a decent striker but he just an upgrade to Mariano. Not good enough for a big club. Mbappe can play as a striker however he's an inside forward meaning Vini Jr will either have to play on the right or gets dropped.
It's going to be hilarious when they throw away a season and then Mbappe just wants more money (and full ownership of his image rights) than they can afford....again. The greed of both Real and Mbappe will their downfall.
For a winger, What’s going on with mikel oyarzabal? Left footed winger who was highly rated a few years ago, admittedly, I found out about him through fifa but given he was genuinely rated and young I was anticipating a move to Barca, Real or Atletico in time. I’m guessing injuries?
he has nothing elite in him, its like Nolito
1) He indeed got a pretty severe injury, rupturing his ACL in March 2022. This past season he has been recovering from it and is yet to reach his pre-injury form.
2) On top of that, he's a lifelong Real Sociedad guy, who is on a long term contract there, so a move to a different team is not likely.
He’s just a loyal dude
Please do a sensible transfers for Borussia Dortmund 🖤💛🖤💛
they aren't buying big players, bvb like ajax or benfica just grow and sell young players
What about Gnabry?
I know who Sané is, but never heard of "Zané"
Can we have an Aston Villa episode please?
To my knowledge one of the premises is wrong: Mbappé does not want to be the main number 9 but rather playing on the flanks of an attacking 3 or as a second striker. So, it would make sense to get a permanent striker already. But maybe I am mistaken about Mbappés preferred position
No, you´re right. He even publicly said he doesnt want to be a No9.
For me F. Valverde is pretty much top class on the right, no need to sign anyone to that position.