"Now is the perfect time" - Former Real Madrid star tells club to trust youth players and not sign defenders in January
Former Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez has advised the club against signing a new defender in January. Los Blancos are eyeing defensive reinforcements in the winter following the recent injury to Eder Militao.
The Brazilian ruptured his ACL during the game against Osasuna on Saturday and is set to be sidelined for the rest of the season. The LaLiga giants are already short at the back and are apparently planning to sign a new defender at the turn of the year.
However, speaking to COPE, Nacho urged the club to trust their academy players instead.
“I would love for Real Madrid to not to sign anyone and bet on the academy boys. The youth team needs opportunities and now is the perfect time,” said Nacho.
Nacho left the Santiago Bernabeu this summer as a free agent to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah. Los Blancos initially wanted to sign Leny Yoro as his replacement, but lost out to Manchester United in the race for the French starlet.
The LaLiga giants ended the summer without signing a new defender and may be ruining that decision already. David Alaba, who picked up an ACL injury last season, is yet to make his return.
The Austrian defender is unlikely to be available for selection until January. The situation has left Real Madrid with just Antonio Rudiger and Jesus Vallejo as their senior options at the back. Vallejo, incidentally, has appeared just once under Carlo Ancelotti this season, registering only 10 minutes of first team action.
Will Real Madrid sign a new right-back in January?
Real Madrid have endured rotten luck with injuries of late. The club are missing Thibaut Courtois as well with an addictor injury, with Andriy Lunin filling in for the Belgian once again.
Los Blancos are also without Dani Carvajal, who picked up an ACL injury at the start of October. The Spanish right-back, who finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or race this year, has been indispensable for the LaLiga gaints.
His absence, as such, is likely to be a big blow. Real Madrid have Lucas Vazquez to cover for the position, but could be tempted to move for Trent Alexander-Arnold in January.
The English right-back is the ideal candidate to fill Carvajal's shoes and has already been identified as his long-term replacement. Alexander-Arnold's contract with Liverpool expires in 2025 and he hasn't signed a new deal. However, the Reds are eager to tie him down to a new deal and are unlikely to let him go in the winter.