Kylian Mbappe welcomes new signing to Real Madrid – “I love defenders like him” | OneFootball

Florentino Perez being re-elected as president has meant that Real Madrid have sealed their first two signings of the summer transfer window. Denzel Dumfries will arrive as the replacement for departing Dani Carvajal, while an agreement has also been sealed for Ibrahima Konate to jet in when his Liverpool contract expires.

Konate is a player that Real Madrid first registered their interest in last summer, and despite leaving the race in November, they eventually re-joined an subsequently wrapped up his signing. On paper, his addition is an exciting one, and one of those pleased at his impending Bernabeu move is international teammate Kylian Mbappe.

As per L’Equipe (via MD), Mbappe gave a glowing assessment of future club teammate Konate when asked about the defender’s impending move to Real Madrid.

“He’s a very aggressive defender, in the best sense of the word. Never a bad gesture, he is hard with the marking, he wants his opponent to feel that he is going to have a hard night. I love defenders like him in my team, with grit, who are tactically flexible, because they are capable of going after their marker as well as holding on in one-on-ones, winning duels and being tactically disciplined.”

Is Konate the answer to Real Madrid’s defensive issues?

Image via Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Konate is a signing that makes a lot of sense for Real Madrid. Although he had a difficult final season at Liverpool, he’s proven himself to be very capable of being one of the best central defenders in world football.

It’s clear that he will predominantly be seen as an alternative/replacement for Antonio Rudiger, given how similar the two are. Konate will be a physical presence in the Real Madrid backline, and should he stay fit, he’s hope to establish a partnership with the aforementioned Germany defender, as well as Dean Huijsen and the currently-injured Eder Militao.