Real Madrid News
Report: 27-year-old Real Madrid defender falls out of favour as Ancelotti loses trust
According to a recent report by Sergio Lopez in AS, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has lost faith in defender Jesus Vallejo, believing that the player no longer meets the high standards expected at the club.
Vallejo finds himself in a difficult situation, as his role in the squad has essentially vanished despite being physically present.
The writing was already on the wall in the summer when the club informed him that he was not part of their sporting plans. They advised him to seek a loan move, which would have been the best solution for all parties involved.
With his contract set to expire in 2025, the club hoped to at least get some compensation by sending him out. However, Vallejo was determined to stay, aiming to prove himself and compete for a place in the team.
Ancelotti has lost his trust
Despite his persistence, Vallejo’s decision has backfired. He has been sidelined and remains an unused player, even when the team is dealing with injuries and suspensions.
He has become almost invisible, a spectator within the squad. This has been particularly evident over the last two months as Real Madrid’s defence has faced several setbacks.
Despite training with “absolute professionalism”, Vallejo’s performances in training have not convinced Ancelotti. The manager does not see him as someone capable of meeting the club’s expectations.
There were opportunities
Vallejo should have started in at least three matches this season, given the injury crises. But instead, Ancelotti opted to play Dani Carvajal or Aurelien Tchouameni out of position rather than give Vallejo a chance.
The only time Vallejo has featured this season was in a brief 11-minute appearance against Alaves when Real Madrid was already 3-0 up.
Since then, he has not seen any game time. It is clear now that Ancelotti does not trust him and views him as far below the level required at Real Madrid. Vallejo is simply playing out his final year under contract, more as a bystander than an active player.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
