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Fede Valverde has been named as Real Madrid's most important player of the moment.
Los Blancos face Arsenal in a crunch Champions League quarter-final showdown with the first leg of the tie taking place this week.
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While many will look to Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr or Kylian Mbappe when identifying Carlo Ancelotti's star man.
But European football expert Andy Brassell believes that it's the Uruguayan star who actually makes the team tick.
Joining the club at the age of 18, the versatile midfielder - who has deputised at right-back for much of this season - has made 306 appearances for the Spanish giants, scoring 29 goals and providing 30 assists.
Speaking on the Trans Euro Express, Brassell believes that despite sacrificing his game for the sake of the team, Valverde needs to play in his natural role to aid their cause against Arsenal.
Discussing Madrid's most important player, Brassell said: "I understand making the case for Valverde.
“A little bit like a prime Michael Essien for Chelsea, you know he can do a great job in a number of positions.
“You stick him at right back, he’s great. Stick him at centre-back when he played in place of John Terry and he was great, but how much do you miss him in midfield?
“That’s always the thing with Valverde.
“The worst I’ve seen Real Madrid play this season was the hour at Anfield when they had Valverde at right-back.
“Is it because he’s an incapable right-back? No. It’s because they miss him in midfield.
“They need him in his position and Ancelotti has used him in that Rodrygo spot on the right-hand side almost like a right-sided forward to do a defensive role.”
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Asked how he sees the game playing out, Brassell added: "Real Madrid have got holes and to me, this tie just screams goals. I really hope that it’s the case.
“For Arsenal I wouldn’t go as far as to say that this is a free hit, but if you look at where they were last season.
“They hadn’t been in the Champions League for six years and they were disappointed to go out to Bayern in the quarter-final.
“This time they’re playing the side who if they don’t win it, they always go pretty close and so to be able to take them on and have a proper go at them.
“In Saka, there’s a guy who desperately needed a rest and through his injury has been forced to have one.
“He had 25 minutes against Fulham, had some more game time at the weekend and then watch him have a proper go at Real Madrid.
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“It’s no exaggeration to say that he could be a pivotal player in this tie.”
Though Los Blancos will be boosted by having Mbappe, Vini Jr, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos available, the Gunners will be hoping that they can pull off a similar display against Real Madrid to aid their hopes of winning silverware this term.
The Spanish giants had been sweating on the availability of the quartet, but it has now been confirmed all four key Los Blancos stars will be available against the Gunners.
The first leg of the Champions League tie takes place on April 8 at the Emirates Stadium, with the second leg taking place at the Bernabeu on April 16.
