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Real Madrid are set to face one of the biggest defensive rebuilding challenges in their recent history, with the contracts of three of their mainstays expiring and a worsening injury crisis threatening to leave the Royals in a fragile defensive position next season.
End of an era
Current figures show that Real Madrid are facing a difficult scenario as the contracts of three of their most popular defenders – Austria’s David Alaba (age 34), Spain’s Daniel Carvajal (age 33) and Germany’s Antonio Rudiger (age 33) – all expire on June 30.
According to sources close to the Royals, Alaba, who spent five years at the club, will not continue with the club and will say goodbye to the Santiago Bernabeu for good after a title-filled career.
As for Carvajal, the team’s current captain who has spent 13 seasons in the first team, he is still awaiting a call from management to extend his contract, but his continuity is up in the air, especially with the difficulty of recovering from a serious injury and regaining his best at 33.
If the club finds a suitable replacement, the legendary right-back can say goodbye to the club to which he dedicated his career.
In contrast, Rudiger’s future looks relatively brighter as he has had two excellent seasons and has become the team’s most regular centre-back.
Real Madrid are expected to offer him a one-year contract extension, but his acceptance depends on the offers he may receive from other clubs.
Militao…the protector of glass
The crisis is further complicated by the deterioration of the health condition of Brazilian Eder Militao (27 years old), who turned into a “glass defender” after three consecutive seasons of severe injuries.
The player recently underwent surgery for a torn proximal tendon in his left biceps femoris and is expected to be out for 5 to 6 months, returning next October bearing the scars of the injury “wars” that threaten his future.
Although Militao is under contract until 2028, his fragile physical condition makes relying on him as a pillar of defense a risky venture.
Last summer deals…short term solutions
The Royals’ defense deals last summer for England’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diane Howsen and Carreras appear insufficient to fill the gap expected in defense next season.
According to technical evaluations, Real Madrid have seen 10 defenders in their squad this season, but the continuity of 4 of them is up in the air and the fifth (Militao) is suffering from chronic injuries, which reduces the number of guaranteed defenders for next season to only 5.
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Addition of left back… deficit of right
In a remarkable paradox, Real Madrid are suffering from an increase in the left-back position, with 3 players competing for that position: Carreras, Mendy and Fran Garcia.
One of them is likely to leave and the strongest candidate to leave is Fran Garcia, despite his good performances when used, but Mendy is superior defensively and Carreras recently arrived for €50m.
On the other hand, the club faces a serious shortage at right-back, especially if Carvajal’s contract is not renewed, making the signing of a top-class right-back an urgent necessity.
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3 defenders on priority list
Reports suggest Real Madrid will need to sign at least three defenders in the upcoming summer transfer window – a right-back if Carvajal’s contract is not renewed and two centre-backs to compensate for Alaba’s departure and cover the void left by Militao’s unstable health.
If no desirable alternatives are found in the transfer market, the Royal Club will have to rely more on the new players from the La Fabrica academy, as happened in the last two seasons with Raul Asensio, Gonzalo Garcia or Thiago Santos.
