Daniel Carvajal: Scout Report

Carvajal is a good defender as well; his reading of the game, when it comes to interceptions, is particularly commendable.

He is still a part-time student at a Spanish University and took great efforts to learn German. These two facts show us that he is always trying to improve both as a person and player. Being the captain of the Castilla side at a young age helped develop his mental strength further and complement his leadership. His mentality should be an example for every player, not just young players.

Last season, Carvajal played 32 matches, missing just two games. At an early age, consistency is necessary. In these 32 matches he managed to produce 8 assists and score one goal.

Daniel Carvajal of Spain during the UEFA European U21 Championships Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Ha Moshava Stadium on June 12, 2013 in Petah Tiqwa, Israel. (Getty Images)

Like every young starlet, Carvajal has some areas he needs to improve. He needs to be more focused in the games. He tends to lose his concentration and is inclined to make mistakes on the pitch. The other area is his discipline; he picked up 10 yellow cards last season.

He won 55% of duels that he was part of which and had an 83% success rate from tackles.The success rate from headed duels, however, was just 48%. Carvajal makes better contributions in attack than in defence; he needs to balance his game by defending more effectively. His lack of successful duels affects other departments of his game.

Carvajal is a fairly short player and this affects his ability to challenge aerially. Of course this also restricts him in attacking and defending set-pieces, but full-backs are rarely used inside the area for an attack.

Transfer Situation

Real Madrid have activated the option to buy him back from Bayer Leverkusen for €6.5 million. The restructuring in Real Madrid could be the end of Arbeloa’s era and start Carvajal’s era in the first team. Reports suggested that President Florentino Perez wanted him back at Madrid, but the player had hesitated to go back to Madrid because of the lack of playing time. He was a starter at Bayer Leverkusen and if he had stayed he would have been a major part of the team in the Champions League, but Real Madrid is his boyhood club. Despite being a regular in Leverkusen’s successful campaign, Daniel isn’t guaranteed a spot in the first-team. He may get lost in the immense depth at the Madrid club.

Carvajal should have probably stayed at Bayer Leverkusen to develop better than warm the bench at Madrid till he breaks into the team. But he has all the skills to make it as a top-footballer. With a few more games at the highest level, he has the ability to even get into the Spanish first team.

The 2013/14 season, with a move back to Real Madrid secured, could be a defining moment in Daniel Carvajal’s young career.