Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not ruling out another centre-back signing amid fitness concerns
Dean Huijsen is set to join Real Madrid to strengthen the centre-back position that has been plagued by injuries for the past two seasons.
Real Madrid have been hit with numerous problems in the department – three cruciate ligament tears, three meniscus surgeries, and hip issues have all affected the club’s central defenders.
As a result, doubts persist over the reliability of Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Eder Militao – all of whom are currently injured, leaving their short-term futures uncertain.
Another centre-back not ruled out
As such, MARCA reports that there is growing consideration within Real Madrid that signing Huijsen alone may not be enough and that another centre-back might be needed.
Militao’s fitness remains a question mark after all recovering from two cruciate ligament tears is no small feat. Meanwhile, Rudiger has played the entire season with various physical issues, not limited to his knee.
As for Alaba, with one year left on his contract, Real Madrid are leaving it up to the Austrian to decide what he wants.
Real Madrid’s youth academy does offer both quality and quantity in central defence with names like Jacobo Ramon, Joan Martinez, Diego Aguado, Mario Rivas, and Victor Valdepenas all coming through.
As such, the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States will act as a testing ground. It will provide clarity on the physical condition of the senior defenders and an opportunity to assess how much the youngsters can contribute.
A decision on adding another defender along with Huijsen will then be made based on how things go in the USA.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
