Very few top teams in Europe are going through as bad an injury crisis as Real Madrid, especially when it comes to defense. After Eder Militao’s devastating ACL injury, the Spanish club is left with just one senior center-back in its squad.
However, to burst the bubble, this is an untrue claim because 27-year-old Jesus Vallejo remains part of the team. The Zaragoza-born player, unfortunately, has become completely invisible.
There have been many permutations as to who will line up for Madrid now. Right-back Dani Carvajal and center-backs Militao and David Alaba are all recovering from ligament injuries. Even academy products Joan Martínez and Jacobo Ramón are dealing with injuries.
Éder Militao’s injury looks SERIOUS. I hope he has a fast recovery 😬 pic.twitter.com/fwp7pn5jwd
— Adjusted55 (@BillPrinter00) November 9, 2024
This left Carlo Ancelotti with just one option during their 4-0 win against Osasuna, where Militao suffered his second ACL blow in less than a year – bringing on Raul Asencio. The youngster impressed and even assisted Jude Bellingham’s first goal in almost half a year.
But can he be a permanent solution for Ancelotti, who will face the might of Liverpool, Atalanta, and more in the coming weeks with a depleted defense?
In simple terms, Real Madrid needs to continue handling Jesus Vallejo as they have been. Both the club and Vallejo himself know that he isn’t quite at the level needed to compete on the biggest stage. With all due respect to him, Vallejo’s career has yet to take off at any of the clubs he’s played for.
He has had stints with Eintracht Frankfurt, Granada, and even a brief loan spell at Wolverhampton in the Premier League. The only club where he somewhat fit was Real Zaragoza, his hometown team, which currently plays in the second division.
That’s not the player Real Madrid needs. This is why Ancelotti, who rarely relies on academy players, will likely turn to Asencio and bank on Aurelien Tchouameni to step in as a center-back when he returns.
Of course, Real Madrid could look to the winter transfer window for reinforcements, though it’s an unlikely but necessary option. They could also wait for Alaba’s recovery; the Austrian, who last played almost a year ago, is expected back around February. If all else fails, Ancelotti might have to call on Vallejo.
Who knows? Perhaps he’ll surprise everyone and show why he still has a place on the bench of the 15-time European champions.
