Fede Valverde has revitalised Real Madrid’s midfield this season, and he is now one of the first names on Zinedine Zidane’s teamsheet when the big games come around – he started the two Clasicos against Barcelona, and both league derbies against Atletico Madrid.

His importance to the team is obvious from Real’s record in La Liga with him, compared to without him: 2.3 points per game when he starts, but only 1.8 when he doesn’t. Tellingly, Valverde did not start in any of Real’s three league losses this season – or in the Champions League shambles at PSG.

Very simply, Real Madrid are better when Fede Valverde is playing and one attacking stat to illustrate this is his league record this season of 0.43 goals plus assists per 90 minutes: better than Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Eden Hazard and Isco.

Check out the video above to listen more to Andy West’s analysis of the Uruguayan midfielder