Real Madrid has confirmed the arrival of Eder Militao. The cost of 50 million euros (Rp809 billion) is believed to have been released by Real Madrid to take him from FC Porto. This former Sao Paulo player received a six-year contract until 2025.
His recruitment was apparently because of Juni Calafat’s intervene. He was the head of the Madrid international division which oversees South American recruitment. Previously, Calafat had a role in purchasing Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo Goes. He could be one of the symbols of reform that Zinedine Zidane will bring in the next season.
So, who is this 21-year-old defender?
Militao hasn’t set foot in Europe for a year. He only joined Porto in August. In fact, Militao immediately gave an instant impact. Whether he plays as a right back or central defender, he almost always becomes the first choice taken by his coach, Sergio Conceicao. He was noted to have appeared in 20 matches in the Portuguese League and was only absent once in the Champions League.
Considering Porto is currently becoming the top of the league and able to go through the Champions League quarter-finals, Militao’s performance is undoubtedly very capable for debutant defenders. You may just look at his appearance when Porto got rid of Roma in the last big 16 of the Champions League.
In his new age of 21 years, his playing skill looks mature. He has a qualified physique, an athletic body, and like other Brazilian players, has charming technical abilities. Portuguese soccer analyst, Tiago Estevao even called Militao a “complete package”. He can compete with his body, can do a duel air, fast, and smart in positioning.
According to Estevao, Militao offers aggressiveness through his legs, both in feeding and in overlapping. You could say, he is a modern central defender who is also comfortable holding the ball.
Estevao also compared him to the other Portuguese League alumni defenders. Victor Lindelof did not have a strong physique, Nicolas Otamendi often blundered, Ezequiel Garay did not have speed, Willy Boly had a technique, but did not start in the Portuguese League. Meanwhile, Eder Militao did not have any shortcomings. He is a complete package.
One thing that can still be developed from him is the instinct to score goals. He has a big posture and a sturdy body, so he will be very dangerous if he is in a set piece situation. In Madrid, Militao can learn from Sergio Ramos, a very productive defender when utilizing a free kick and corner kick.
The important point is that Militao has expensive prices for such a player at his age. His CV is also not yet an annual season in Europe and has only once tasted the Brazilian national team uniform. He can be called a risky investment. Madrid once brought Danilo, who was in the same position as a defender, both from Brazil, and both were recruited from Porto. In fact, Danilo just became Dani Carvajal’s hand.
If you look at the composition of Madrid’s current back line, Militao can immediately go through the starter. The 33-year-old Sergio Ramos, Nacho Fernandez seemed to level up from just a defender and Dani Carvajal did not have an equal competitor.
Again, Zidane’s next season’s mission is to change things in the composition of the Madrid team. It could be that Militao, Zidane’s first recruit is a symbol of Madrid’s change for next season.
