Leny Yoro’s decision to join Manchester United took Real Madrid’s strategy for the centre-back position to the cleaners.
All of a sudden, Los Blancos are left with just three senior centre-backs ahead of the new season. Nacho Fernandez and Rafa Marin’s departures, after all, leave the coach with only Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.
Of the trio, the Austrian international is still battling to recover from an ACL injury that he suffered back in December. Close to eight months after his setback, it is safe to say that his recovery is not going on track.
Back tomorrow
As revealed in a recent update by MARCA, Alaba will return to the Valdebebas tomorrow alongside the other internationals who progressed deep into last month’s tournaments.
However, he will not join group training and will focus on an objective of his own: to return to 100% fitness at the earliest.
Alaba has been working hard even through his vacations to speed up his return to the field. However, there is still no projected date for his return as it stands.
Real Madrid’s goal is to give the defender the space and time he requires to return to 100%, even if it means waiting until early 2025. After all, he is a crucial piece in the Real Madrid puzzle.
The expected stand-ins
With only two fit central defenders ahead of the upcoming league opener. It is clear that Carlo Ancelotti must have a backup plan. As it stands, the Italian tactician has opted against looking towards the transfer market.
Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to serve as Los Blancos’ first-choice backup given his performances in the position last season.
Joan Martinez, Raul Asencio and Jacobo Ramon, meanwhile, have a healthy ongoing competition to be the first team’s fourth-choice defender.