Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender wants to stay despite Ancelotti not counting on him – report
Real Madrid have parted ways with four players already this summer, which included two out-of-favour stars in the form of Eden Hazard and Mariano Diaz. And the Spanish capital outfit wish to offload more players that do not belong in manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
Alvaro Odriozola is one such star who does not feature in Ancelotti’s scheme of things and is ‘definitely’ headed for the exit doors.
Now, Carrusel Deportivo is reporting that along with Odriozola, Jesus Vallejo is another player that Ancelotti does not count on for the next season and Real Madrid wish to sell him. However, the centre-back is not keen to leave and wants to continue at the club.
Vallejo has been a Real Madrid player since 2015 but has spent most of his time away on temporary spells, having had stints at Real Zaragoza, Eintracht Frankfurt, Wolves, and Granada.
The 26-year-old has been at Real Madrid for the past couple of campaigns but has hardly played under Ancelotti.
The Spaniard finds himself behind Eder Militao, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Nacho Fernandez in the pecking order of things at the Santiago Bernabeu, which means he is only used as a late substitute or in matches where not much is at stake.
Ancelotti is understood to have made it clear to the player that he does not count on him. But, even then, Vallejo does not contemplate the possibility of a departure and wishes to continue as a Real Madrid player, with his contract still having two years left.
It is certainly a tricky situation for Los Blancos, as Vallejo’s departure would generate some sort of income and lighten their wage bill even if not by much. Given that all the departures this summer have been on free transfers, a sale for a fee would be welcome.
But with the defender reluctant to leave, only time will tell whether Real Madrid can convince him to change his mind.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
