Vinicius Junior features in La Liga team of the month as Real Madrid dominate
League leaders Real Madrid are the dominant side in the La Liga December team of the month having claimed 13 points from 15 games. Players from Barcelona, Real Betis and Villarreal also make the cut as we, starting from the back, run through the WhoScored best XI.
Having only come into the Elche side in November, Edgar Badia did enough last month to make the December best XI. Granted, Badia conceded six in three matches, but 14 saves, the second most, ensured Elche remained in games until the end and helped the 29-year-old to a WhoScored rating of 7.21.
Hector Bellerin (Real Betis) - 7.20
The first of two Real Betis players, Hector Bellerin was solid from right-back in December, earning a WhoScored rating of 7.20 in the process. Bellerin was unfortunate not to register an assist having made six key passes, while 11 tackles and interceptions combined was a modest return for the Spaniard.
Eder Militao (Real Madrid) - 7.46
Real Madrid are the dominant side in this XI with Eder Militao the first of three Los Blancos representatives. The Brazilian was often in the right place at the right time to alleviate pressure on the Real Madrid goal, making more clearances (27) than any other player to help yield a WhoScored rating of 7.46.
Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) - 7.13
Barcelona have two players make the side with Ronald Araujo partnering Militao at the heart of the defence. The Blaugrana centre-back scored his second league goal of the season last month, that coming in a man of the match display at Sevilla, while an additional 14 tackles and interceptions combined meant Araujo was good value for his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.13.
Alex Moreno (Real Betis) - 8.04
Only two players made more tackles than Alex Moreno (14) in La Liga in December - 11 of which came against Barcelona, a record in a league game this season - as the Real Betis left-back rounds off the defence with an impressive WhoScored rating of 8.04. Moreno was one of three players to win multiple man of the match awards, doing so in wins over Barcelona and Real Sociedad.
Abde Ezzalzouli (Barcelona) - 7.47
Abde Ezzalzouli scored his first league goal of the season in December and is the second Barcelona player in the side having garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.47. The 20-year-old completed more dribbles (18) than any other player in Spain's top tier last month as he continues to thrive in Xavi's side.
The second Real Madrid player in the side, Casemiro registered his third league assist of the season in December, that coming in a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad. Only Joselu (29) won more aerial duels than the Brazilian (23) to help make the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.78.
Dani Parejo (Villarreal) - 7.56
Linking up with Casemiro in the middle of the park, Dani Parejo directly contributed to a Villarreal goal in three of his four La Liga outings in December, registering four assists in total, more than any other player. No player created more clear-cut goalscoring chances than Parejo (3) to earn a WhoScored rating of 7.56.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) - 7.52
Rounding off the Real Madrid contingent is wing wizard Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian played decisive roles in wins over Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid scoring against the former and providing a pair of assists in the 2-0 win over the latter. 12 successful dribbles was the third best and aided the 21-year-old in landing a WhoScored rating of 7.52.
Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) - 8.64
With a WhoScored rating of 8.64, Gerard Moreno is the La Liga player of the month for December. After a spell on the sidelines, Moreno has showcased his best form for the Yellow Submarine, as no player had a direct hand in more goals than the Spaniard (6). In addition, the striker won the man of the match award in three of his four outings to cap a fine end to 2021.
Jorge Molina rolled back the years in December to partner Moreno in attack with a WhoScored rating of 7.61. The 39-year-old had a direct hand in six goals last month, scoring five, including a goal and assist in a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid to see out the year on a high.
