Real Madrid News
Official: Lucas Vazquez picks up thigh injury, will be out for 2-3 weeks
The new season is not even one month in and Carlo Ancelotti already faces an acute injury crisis in his squad. Karim Benzema and Eder Militao suffered injuries in the team’s game against Celtic in Glasgow and face over two weeks out. Now, another name has joined that list.
Real Madrid have officially announced that medical tests carried out on Lucas Vazquez reveal an injury to the Gracilis muscle of his right thigh. His recovery will dictate his return, but it is expected that he will be out for another 2-3 weeks, at least.
The right-back was forced off in the final 20 minutes against Mallorca, with Daniel Carvajal replacing him off the bench. This comes as a big blow to Ancelotti’s plans as the Spaniard was performing at a very high level this season.
In his 71 minutes on Sunday, Vazquez was defensively sound with a clearance, two interceptions and two tackles. He also won seven duels and made one key pass on the night.
The 31-year-old is ruled out of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League clash against RB Leipzig midweek, and Carvajal is expected to start at right-back in his absence. Needless to say, Ancelotti will hope to have his player back before the Madrid Derby next week.
In four league games this season, the defender has scored one goal and averages over six defensive actions per game. It is difficult to believe that the player was a winger for the team a few seasons ago, for he is now well established as the backup right-back in the side.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
