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Criteria
1. Only this season's form will be taken into account.
2. Injuries factor into the grading and make it harder for players to get a higher score simply because they have played less.
3. Consistency is a key factor in achieving a high grade (this is also why injuries decrease the grade of a player).
4. Grades are subjective to the standards that we expect of each player (which are obviously different for each member of the squad). Ex: just because Ronaldo gets a low score compared to Lucas Vazquez, it doesn't necessarily mean Lucas has been better than Ronaldo this season.
5. Grading Scale will be from an A+ to F- scale, with an A+ being nearly perfect and an F- being consistently terrible.
6. Statistics are taken from whoscored.com and only cover La Liga and the Champions League.
Goalkeepers
Keylor Navas
Grade: A+
Key Statistics
Apps: 45
Mins: 4050
Saves Per 90 Minutes
La Liga: 2.7
UCL: 2.4
Saves Inside Penalty Area P90 Min
La Liga: 1.5
UCL: 1.2
Keylor Navas has had a truly incredible season. From being the unwanted outcast, Navas has showed immense mental strength to become an indispensable member of Zidane's starting eleven. He has saved Real Madrid in crucial moments time and time again and has managed to accrue a truly mind-blowing record of 10 out of 11 clean sheets in the Champions League.
Kiko Casilla
Grade: C+
Key Statistics
Apps: 6
Mins: 540
Saves P90 Min
La Liga: 3.5
UCL: 1
Saves Inside Penalty Area P90 Min
La Liga: 2.3
UCL: N/A
I gave Kiko Casilla a C+ in the first half of the season and I stand by the same grade in this article. He's shown his reliability when called upon, but his lack of minutes means he can't get more than an average score.
Fullbacks
Marcelo
Grade: B+
Key Statistics
Apps: 41
Mins: 3354
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 2/3.6
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 2.1/3.4
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 1.2/3.3
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 0.8/2.7
Key passes p90 min in La Liga: 1.9
Key passes p90 min in UCL: 1.3
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 2.7 : 1.2
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 1.2 : 1.1
Aside from a rather poor start to the season, Marcelo has been his same reliable self on offense, providing a vital presence as Real Madrid's number one late attacker into the final third. His ability to create chaos, whether through dribbling or crossing, cannot be overstated, as it is needed to break down compact defenses. However, Marcelo's desire to push forward has seen his defensive record regress from last season, ensuring that he doesn't receive the A-/A grade he had the potential to get.
Daniel Carvajal
Grade: A-
Key Statistics
Apps: 30
Mins: 2320
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 1/2.3
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 1.2/2.1
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 1.5/2.3
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 0.8/2.9
Key passes p90 min in La Liga: 1.6
Key passes p90 min in UCL: 1.1
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 1.8 : 1.1
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 1.6 : 0.9
It's a pity that injuries have blighted what has otherwise been a fantastic season for the Spanish right-back. Possessing a supreme level of balance to his offensive and defensive qualities, there is little worry that Carvajal will be caught out in the same way that Marcelo was against Roma. Such intelligence and positioning is rare for an attacking fullback of his age, let alone rare for an attacking fullback at all, making Carvajal possibly the best right-back in the world.
Danilo
Grade: C+
Key Statistics
Apps: 31
Mins: 2589
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 0.7/0.9
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 0.7/1.2
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 0.5/2.1
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 0/2.8
Key passes p90 min in La Liga: 0.8
Key passes p90 min in UCL: 1.2
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 3.1 : 0.7
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 3.5 : 0.8
It can safely be said that Danilo has not lived up to expectations following an excellent 2014/15 season with FC Porto. He has not been the swashbuckling attacking force we have expected, as demonstrated by his poor cross completion rate rate and his average number of key passes per 90 minutes. Additionally, his defensive side of the game has also been shaky, with Danilo often too prone to committing to tackles he has little chance of winning. Yet, it hasn't been all bad for the Brazilian. He completed a decent first half of the season under Rafa Benitez and had a strong run of games under the midway point in Zidane's reign. But matches like the one vs. Wolfsburg have consistently broken Danilo's hopes of rebounding and cementing his place in this Real side. Despite this, there is cause for hope. His willingness to see out a large portion of the end of the season while injured, is a sign of his great mental strength, something that will be needed to vanquish his role as the scapegoat in Los Blancos' squad.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Grade: D
Key Statistics
Apps: 8
Mins: 438
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 0/0.3
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 0/0.5
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 0/1
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 0/1.5
Key passes p90 min in La Liga: 0.3
Key passes p90 min in UCL: 0.5
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 4.2 : 1
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 2.5 : 0.5
Arbeloa hasn't done much and has played very few minutes of importance this season. His one match of significance, which came against Atlético, involved Arbeloa losing the ball through a stupid backheel, thus allowing Atlético to score an equalizing goal. His decent performances in the Champions League ensure that his derby performance isn't the only thing that determines his grade, but his debacle of a mistake is still enough to give him a D. Thankfully, this won't have a shred of importance when regarding his legacy at Real Madrid as a whole.
Center Backs
Pepe
Grade: B+
Key Statistics
Apps: 30
Mins: 2615
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 1.6 : 0.4
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 1.5 : 0.2
Interceptions p90 min in La Liga: 2.5
Interceptions p90 min in UCL: 2.5
Clearances p90 min in La Liga: 3.4
Clearances p90 min in UCL: 3.6
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 2.7/4
Aerial Battles won p90 min in UCL: 2.2/2.8
Shots Blocked p90 in La Liga: 1
Shots Blocked p90 in UCL: 0.2
Once again Real Madrid's best center back of the season, Pepe has shown a level of consistency that is in danger of going unrecognized due to how common it has become. With the rest his partners in defense often injured or out of form, Pepe's extremely intelligent defensive positioning, excellent aerial ability, and superb disciplinary record, became the sole rock both Benitez and Zidane could build upon from the back. While such a season makes it seem like Pepe merits an A- at the very least, I have knocked him down a peg because this season was not as impressive as his last.
Raphael Varane
Grade: B-
Key Statistics
Apps: 33
Mins: 2622
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 1.6 : 0.4
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 1.6 : 0.2
Interceptions p90 min in La Liga: 1.8
Interceptions p90 min in UCL: 1.6
Clearances p90 min in La Liga: 5.1
Clearances p90 min in UCL: 5.1
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 2.1/3.1
Aerial Battles won p90 min in UCL: 2/3.3
Shots Blocked p90 in La Liga: 0.8
Shots Blocked p90 in UCL: 0.6
After what was a good first half of the season, Varane regressed severely in form. Often looking unsure on the ball, making defensive mistakes, and sometimes getting beaten too easily in the air, Varane failed to cement a spot ahead of Pepe in the starting line-up. This is especially disappointing considering that this was the year Varane was supposed to break out into a world class central defender. Yet he has not learned and has failed to grow much from his early years at Madrid, as he still relies too much on his pace and tackling ability. Varane really has to improve next year, as the 2016/17 season is the time Pepe will probably begin to be phased doubt.
Sergio Ramos
Grade: B-
Key Statistics
Apps: 30
Mins: 2615
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 1.6 : 0.4
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 2.6 : 0.4
Interceptions p90 min in La Liga: 3.6
Interceptions p90 min in UCL: 2.5
Clearances p90 min in La Liga: 3.6
Clearances p90 min in UCL: 4.1
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 1.8/2.6
Aerial Battles won p90 min in UCL: 2.9/4.7
Shots Blocked p90 in La Liga: 0.9
Shots Blocked p90 in UCL: 0.9
Injury undoubtedly hurt Sergio Ramos' grade this season, but he didn't help himself by prolonging his shoulder injury. Additionally, his grade also wasn't helped by poor form and some rash pieces of play, which led him to pick up a team high of 10 yellow cards and 3 red cards across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Despite this largely erratic display from our captain, he did have some truly brilliant moments. Most notable were his defensive performances against Roma across both legs and his goal in the Champions League Final.
Nacho
Grade: B
Key Statistics
Apps: 21
Mins: 1511
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 1.8 : 0.3
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 1.5 : 0
Interceptions p90 min in La Liga: 2.8
Interceptions p90 min in UCL: 2.3
Clearances p90 min in La Liga: 2.7
Clearances p90 min in UCL: 1.8
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 0.5/1
Aerial Battles won p90 min in UCL: 2/2.8
Shots Blocked p90 in La Liga: 0.7
Shots Blocked p90 in UCL: 0.3
What I said for Nacho in the first half of the season works just fine here:
"A man with no ego and no sense of entitlement, Nacho has very quietly picked up significant game time and gone about his business making few mistakes. His reliability at the back and ability to slot in anywhere across the back line is invaluable to Madrid and is something that often goes unnoticed."
Central Midfielders
Luka Modric
Grade: A-
Key Statistics:
Apps: 44
Mins: 3502
Goals: 3
Assists: 5
Passes p90 in La Liga: 74.8 (89.6% accuracy)
Passes p90 in UCL: 80.5 (90.7% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in La Liga: 4.9/6.4 (76.6% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in UCL: 4.4/6.7 (65.7% accuracy)
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 2.1
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 1.6
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 1.7 : 0.8
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 1.2 : 1.1
Toni Kroos
Grade: B+
Key Statistics:
Apps: 44
Mins: 3740
Goals: 1
Assists: 11
Passes p90 in La Liga: 79.5 (93.8% accuracy)
Passes p90 in UCL: 86.7 (94.6% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in La Liga: 7.6/8.6 (88.4% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in UCL: 5.7/6.7 (85.1% accuracy)
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 2.7
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 1.9
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 2.1 : 1.7
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 2.4 : 1.5
Mateo Kovacic
Grade: C+
Key Statistics:
Apps: 33
Mins: 1370
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Passes p90 in La Liga: 66.1 (90.5% accuracy)
Passes p90 in UCL: 87.9 (92.5% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in La Liga: 1.1/1.9 (57.9% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in UCL: 1.6/2.5 (64.0% accuracy)
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 1.6
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 1.1
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 3.2 : 0.7
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 2.9 : 0
Casemiro
Grade: A+
Key Statistics:
Apps: 34
Mins: 2421
Passes p90 in La Liga: 60.2 (87.2% accuracy)
Passes p90 in UCL: 65.5 (88.8% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in La Liga: 6.5/8.5 (76.7% accuracy)
Accurate Long Balls p90 min in UCL: 6.4/8.3 (77.1% accuracy)
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 4.2 : 2.1
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 4 : 1.4
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 2.5/3.6
Aerial Battles won p90 min in UCL: 2.8/4.1
Attacking Midfielders
James Rodríguez
Grade: C+
Key Statistics:
Apps: 31
Mins: 1783
Goals: 8
Assists: 8
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 3.6
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 3.7
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 2.3/4.8
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 2/3.7
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 1.1/2.6
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 0.7/1.4
Passes p90 in La Liga: 63.9 (86.7% accuracy)
Passes p90 in UCL: 70.3 (86.5% accuracy)
Isco
Grade: B
Key Statistics:
Apps: 42
Mins: 2507
Goals: 3
Assists: 10
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 2.1
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 2.9
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 1.1/2.9
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 0.5/1.3
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 2.8/5.2
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 2.6/4.9
Passes p90 in La Liga: 58.2 (89.3% accuracy)
Passes p90 in UCL: 63.2 (90.3% accuracy)
Wingers/Wide Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo
Grade: A-
Key Statistics
Apps: 48
Mins: 4264
Goals: 51
Assists: 15
Shots p90 min in La Liga: 6.4
Shots p90 min in UCL: 7.7
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 1.4
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 1.9
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 1.4/2.6
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 0.6/1.7
Fouled p90 min in La Liga: 1.1
Fouled p90 min in UCL: 1.5
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 1.6/2.8
Aerial Battles won p90 min in UCL: 1.3/3.3
"He's finished." "He's not even one of the top 3 players in the world anymore." "He's not a big game player." These were the musings of fans and pundits across the globe after Ronaldo's first half of the 2015/16 season; and as outlined in one of my older articles, they kind of had a point. Ronaldo had managed to thrash the likes of Malmo and Shakhtar Donetsk, but had failed to show up against PSG, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona. With the death knell sounding, Ronaldo taught us a new meaning of what it means to never give up. Perhaps removing a few pounds of muscle or mass or just attaining a new level of desire, Ronaldo completely turned his entire season around in the second half of the 2015/16 campaign. Not only did he once again become a threat when running with the ball and when shooting from distance, but he also became clutch. He notched goals against Roma, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, Celta Vigo, Valencia, and scored a magnificent hat-trick vs. Wolfsburg to make Real Madrid's current status as Champions of Europe possible. He has to be the favorite for the 2016 Ballon D'Or now.
Gareth Bale
Grade: A-
Key Statistics
Apps: 31
Mins: 2354
Goals: 19
Assists: 12
Shots p90 min in La Liga: 4.2
Shots p90 min in UCL: 4.1
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 2.6
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 3.1
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 2.2/3.7
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 3.2/5.7
Fouled p90 min in La Liga: 1.4
Fouled p90 min in UCL: 1.2
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 0.9/3.5
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 1.2/2.8
If it wasn't for injury, Gareth Bale would have easily been given an A+. He has improved immensely in every way since the 2014/15 season, particularly in his dribbling in tight quarters, his creativity, and his big game ability. If Gareth Bale can stay on the pitch longer, Real Madrid fans can rest a lot easier when mulling over a future without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lucas Vázquez
Grade: A+
Key Statistics
Apps: 32
Mins: 1531
Goals: 4
Assists: 8
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 1/3.6
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 0.6/1.8
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 2
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 2.4
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 2.1/3.7
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 2.7/4.5
Fouled p90 min in La Liga: 2.6
Fouled p90 min in UCL: 2.4
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in La Liga: 3.9 : 1.2
Tackles vs. Dribbled Past stats p90 min in UCL: 2.7 : 2.1
Lucas Vázquez is the prime example of what we missed last season - depth. Possessing little ego and happy to sit on the bench for long periods of time, Lucas is perfect for a squad where 3 positions in the starting line-up are non-negotiable. When playing, he provides something different through his directness and pace, and his end-product per 90 minutes is truly remarkable. There is also the fact that his work-rate is immense, meaning that Carvajal or Danilo can bomb forward with gusto, safe in the knowledge that Lucas will cover them.
Jesé
Grade: B
Key Statistics
Apps: 37
Mins: 1166
Goals: 6
Assists: 6
Shots p90 min in La Liga: 2.3
Shots p90 min in UCL: 2.4
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 2.5
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 2.9
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 2.1/3.9
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 2.7/4.5
Fouled p90 min in La Liga: 1.1
Fouled p90 min in UCL: 1.1
Accurate crosses p90 min in La Liga: 0.8/3.2
Accurate crosses p90 min in UCL: 0.3/0.8
It must be frustrating for someone of Jesé's talent to be no closer to cracking the starting eleven than he was 3 seasons ago. Due to his ACL tear, there were questions over Jesé's ability in the 2014/15 season, but he has answered his doubters by returning to his normal explosive self in 2015/16. With the best goal per minute ratio outside of BBC, don't be surprised if he gets snapped up by an astute club in the transfer market this summer.
Denis Cheryshev
Grade: N/A
Key Statistics: N/A
Because of the fact Denis Cheryshev hasn't gotten more than 70 minutes of action across La Liga and the Champions League, I have decided not to grade him.
Strikers
Karim Benzema
Grade: A-
Key Statistics
Apps: 36
Mins: 2599
Goals: 28
Assists: 7
Shots p90 min in La Liga: 4.4
Shots p90 min in UCL: 4
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 1.9
Key Passes p90 min in UCL: 0.7
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 0.8/1.7
Dribbles p90 min in UCL: 2.5/3
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 0.5/1.6
Aerial Battles won p90 min in UCL: 0.7/1.6
Caught Offside p90 min in La Liga: 0.9
Caught Offside p90 min in UCL: 0.7
As it was with Bale, if it wasn't for injury, Benzema would easily have a higher grade. Recording his most lethal season to date, Karim Benzema notched 24 goals in La Liga at an exceptional rate of 1.1 goals per 90 minutes, the highest of any Real Madrid player. Not so much of a "cat" now huh Mourinho?! Unless... Mourinho knew that house cats were the most successful hunters out of anyone in the cat family, even when considering tigers and lions. So I guess Mourinho was complimenting Big Benz after all.
Mayoral
Grade: B
Key Statistics
Apps: 6
Mins: 283
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Shots p90 min in La Liga: 1
Key Passes p90 min in La Liga: 0.3
Dribbles p90 min in La Liga: 0.6/0.6
Aerial Battles won p90 min La Liga: 1.6/4.5
Caught Offside p90 min in La Liga: 0.6
Though Mayoral didn't score any goals or create any assists in his starts and substitute appearances for the legendary Whites, the wunderkid from Castilla showed the hunger, desire, work-rate, and raw sense of positioning that makes experts believe he will be a smash hit in the future. Keep an eye on this one.