Player Focus: Vidal Will Have to Wait to Claim Alves' Right-back Crown

On Tuesday, Dani Alves signed a new two-year deal to extend his stay at Barcelona. Rumours had suggested the Brazilian would depart La Liga and Europe's champions after seven years at the club, with PSG, Manchester United and Milan linked with a move for the marauding full-back. The news that Alves signed a contract will have come as a blow to the European trio, each of whom may have been confident of signing the 32-year-old. 

The confirmation came a day after Barcelona secured the services of Aleix Vidal from Sevilla, though he won’t be able to make his official debut until next year due to the Blaugrana’s transfer ban. Vidal’s arrival was supposedly set to end Alves’ stay at Camp Nou, so the latter’s decision to stay following the signing of the Spaniard was somewhat surprising. 

Nevertheless, Barcelona’s decision to renew Alves’ contract should come as little shock. The Brazil international has been one of their most consistent performers since, coincidentally, arriving from Sevilla in 2008. Boasting the ability to become the best in his position, Alves realised his potential with Barcelona, with many feeling he is still football’s finest right-back at present. The club’s choice, therefore, to convince him stay was an easy one to make. 

However, the acquisition of Vidal now means Barcelona have four players capable of playing at right-back on their books, with Douglas and Martín Montoya also able to play the role. While Douglas and Montoya are not expected to play a major part for Luis Enrique’s side, Alves and Vidal - when the latter can be utilised - will battle it out for a starting berth. It’s a selection headache for Enrique, of that there is no doubt, but one that he will likely welcome. 

The duo are similar in their approach when deployed at right-back - breaking forward at any given opportunity to provide width from deep and a further attacking outlet for the side. Alves endured his fair share of critics this season, with his crossing in particular coming under scrutiny from the sceptics, but his rating (7.37) was enough to see him cement a place in WhoScored's La Liga team of the season. 

Vidal, meanwhile, gained a respectable rating of 6.93 in Spain’s top tier, though that increased to 7.18 from his 5 league starts at right-back. Arguably his finest performance of the season came in the position in Sevilla’s 3-0 Europa League win over Fiorentina at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Vidal netted a brace and provided the assist for Kevin Gameiro’s goal with 15 minutes remaining to gain a rating of 9.89 and was subsequently awarded the WhoScored man od the match award. 

The display - which was similar to a young Alves - against the Serie A side perhaps convinced the Barcelona board to firm up their interest in Vidal. The Spaniard dominated the game from right-back, much like Alves is capable of doing and has done in the past. However, the 25-year-old is unlikely to be handed a starting berth instantaneously, even once he can officially turn out for his new club. Alves, despite his advancing years, is crucial to Barcelona’s current game plan, with the link up play with Lionel Messi on the right a particular highlight. In fact, his creative ability means only Messi (85) and Cristiano Ronaldo (65) have registered more assists in La Liga in the last 6 La Liga seasons than Alves (51). 

Alves’ best quality, however, remains his superior energy levels compared to those around him. The former Sevilla ace is effectively a right-back, a central midfielder and a right winger wrapped into one 5’8” package. His tireless work off the ball also saw him make more tackles (124) than any other player in Spain’s top tier last term. It goes without saying his are big boots to fill. Nevertheless, the Blaugrana have clearly identified Vidal as the natural successor to the Brazilian, whilst also acquiring a player with the versatility to provide competition on either flank. 

Alves’ average of 1.3 key passes per game last season was only marginally better than Vidal (1), while the latter completed more successful dribbles per game (1) than the former (0.8), though that in part is likely to be down to Vidal often being deployed higher up field. Alves’ ball retention also stands him in high stead, with his average number of passes per game (64.7) ranking 6th in La Liga last campaign. Vidal, in comparison, averaged just 25.4, while his pass success rate (74.4%) was also significantly worse than Alves’ (88.5%). 

The Spaniard may not be as technically astute as Alves, but Vidal’s work ethic and non-stop yo-yoing up the flank bares a striking resemblance to the Brazilian. It’s this high energy approach that ultimately appealed to Enrique in his quest to bolster this Barcelona side, while his versatility will also have convinced the club to part ways with €18m to bring him back to Catalonia. A statistically calculated WhoScored strength of ‘defensive contribution’ somewhat reinforces Vidal’s impressive work rate. 

There's little question that Vidal has been brought in as Alves’ long-term successor as Barcelona’s starting right-back. He may not quite be the finished product, but Enrique will be able to mould Vidal into his ideal full-back, though he is unlikely to be quite as effective, offensively, as Alves. However, while he will have to wait until next year to make his official debut for his new club, Vidal may have to settle for a spot on the sidelines for longer than the next 6 months. 

Another successful campaign for Alves means he is expected to retain his starting spot for the Blaugrana for the foreseeable future, but Vidal is not a poor stand in, nor heir, to the Brazilian’s right-back throne.

Do you think Aleix Vidal is a suitable successor for Dani Alves at Barcelona? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below