Real Madrid: Why Miguel Gutierrez is in the driver’s seat at left back

Real Madrid have a few options at left back. Ferland Mendy has been struggling for months with an injury, but he has established himself as the No. 1 option at the position over the last two seasons, thanks to his stalwart defensive play. Youngster Miguel Gutierrez has impressed whenever he’s started, too.

David Alaba and Nacho Fernandez are center backs who can play at left back, though Alaba is, obviously, the much better of the two at fullback. Then there is club legend Marcelo, though most Madridistas would quickly point out that he shouldn’t even be considered an option at this stage of his career.

In total, there are five possible left backs at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal. Two of them, Mendy and Miguel, are legitimate long-term pieces and currently capable of starting for a club like this one.

Mendy has more of a track record, but due to his recent injury, Miguel has been getting opportunities to start. Bizarrely, Ancelotti took him out of the XI on multiple occasions to start Nacho. Though Nacho did well against Inter, he has proceeded to be a major liability at both left and right back. It’s obvious he cannot run or influence the attack enough to play at either of these positions for Real Madrid.

Miguel Gutierrez is the best creator at left back

In addition to the injury factor affecting Mendy, a portion of that last statement makes me believe Miguel is truly the one in control of his own destiny at left back. Miguel is so good at influencing the attack, and Real Madrid ideally want a left back who can get forward heavily.

With Toni Kroos returning and Ancelotti potentially set to figure things out defensively with Casemiro and others, the defensive solidity shouldn’t continue to be this big of a problem for Real. And even if it is, Miguel isn’t a bad defender by any means. He also happens to aid this free-flowing Madrid attack more than anyone else at left back, due to his athleticism, technical quality, and exquisite final balls.

A prolific crosser and passer at his age, Miguel has the skill, invention, and accuracy to be a key attacking outlet and creator for Real Madrid. We saw how much Marcelo helped Cristiano Ronaldo focus on the goals. Miguel can have a similar impact to Vinicius Junior and even Karim Benzema, who prefers to drift more into the left side. Throw in Eden Hazard, and you have three attacking players who can reap the rewards of working with Miguel.

At the age of 20 and with a new contract secured, Miguel is very much the future. Real know this. Ancelotti seems to be a little slow to showing full faith in Miguel, though it should not be hard for the Spanish left back to win the new manager over.

Watch closely to see how Miguel asserts himself when he does get opportunities. As we saw late last season, this is a young man who is fully capable of seizing the chances he gets. Madridistas love him. If he can explode at left back, perhaps he and Mendy can perform split duties on the left depending on the opponent, with Mendy even potentially moving to center back. However, since Mendy’s injury has been a struggle, the stage is set for Miguel to prove himself. This Nacho charade has to end sooner rather than later, for Real’s sake and Ancelotti’s.