Real Madrid News
Out-of-favour Real Madrid defender keen to see out his contract at the club
Real Madrid are heading into the business end of the season and with it comes the added burden of putting their heads into the contractual situation of the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema among others.
Fortunately enough, the case of Jesus Vallejo does not pose any threat but it must be remembered that the 26-year-old is about to complete 10 years with the team.
Vallejo was signed by Madrid in 2015 from Zaragoza for €6 million fee. Signing a six-year deal until 2021, the young defender was immediately sent to Zaragoza for a season-long loan before being sent to Germany to play for Eintracht Frankfurt the following season.
In his eight years with Real Madrid, Vallejo has made a mere 17 league appearances and despite knowing that the situation is not going to change in near future, he is willing to see out his contract, which ends in 2025.
According to journalist Rodra, the defender believes that at 26 years of age, he is in the world’s best team and it is simply not the time for him to look for other avenues.
“Vallejo is an exceptional professional,” a Real Madrid source was quoted by the journalist. “He is always one of the first to arrive at training, he trains to the maximum and is always available for his coach,” the source added.
Despite lacking minutes on the field, Vallejo is in the best shape of his career and the last time he was unavailable for selection was when he got sick with COVID-19.
This season, the 26-year-old has clocked 67 minutes across all competitions and his optimism is up to the level that he still has not lost faith.
“He does his job as does his coach. Jesus fulfils all his obligations as a player with the utmost professionalism, and Ancelotti decides who plays, which is a very difficult task.”
Since moving to Madrid, Vallejo has gone on loan four times. In 2019, before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Madrid decided to renew his contract for four more seasons. In 2021, it was extended until 2025.
While there is a belief that Vallejo is a true professional, circumstances have forced him to settle for a lesser role. And judging by the look of things, it is not going to change anytime soon.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
