Jose Mourinho was completely right about Fede Valverde

Fede Valverde has been playing at right-back for quite a while. In fact, he has become Real Madrid's starting right-back in most of their games since his impressive cameo on that right side against Roma a few weeks ago.

Real Madrid have looked incredibly exciting since then, and a lot of that change has to do with Valverde being pushed out wide instead of playing alongside Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield. There are not many Real Madrid fans who would say that a move like this made no sense for the team, because it absolutely did.

Real Madrid's midfield was very problematic in these last few years, and the proof is well documented: the midfield of Valverde and Tchouameni simply does not work in this team. That is exactly why Jose Mourinho decided to switch: he decided to put Valverde at right-back, where he is much more explosive and contributing, while Tchouameni gets paired with a player like Bernardo Silva or Arda Guler – someone who can carry the ball and pass it around without being afraid of it.

Fede Valverde is a brilliant right-back, and his goalscoring isn't going down either

That is not to say Valverde was afraid of it, but it just did not work because he was not actively looking for the ball all the time, which these two midfielders are. The one thing that Real Madrid fans were slightly worried about was Valverde's goal-scoring numbers going down if he plays at right-back. The game against Valencia put an end to that conversation.

Most of Valverde's goals come from outside the box. If Valverde is not completely out on the flanks, he has the ability to roam around and come back into the midfield briefly during the times when it is possible for him to take a long shot here and there. 

He was able to do that and score against Valencia on Saturday night. It put fans at ease about the player featuring in a position that doesn't typically allow a player to score many goals from.

Obviously, this will not be a regular occurrence, and even the goal he scored against AEK Athens during the week came when he was playing as a midfielder. However, it is very good and positive to have a player who is as decisive from outside the box as Valverde to also still have a liberty to play in to score from long range and give Real Madrid that X-factor that they sometimes need.

Valverde was prolific in front of goal last season as well, and if this Valencia game is any indication, he will be able to protect the right wing while also scoring bangers whenever necessary. Best of both worlds.