Real Madrid are looking for a right back for next season. The injury to Carvajal and the level of Lucas Vázquez have made strengthening this position a priority. In this sense, Alexander-Arnold was the number one choice for the board, but his injury in the Liverpool-PSG game means that the roadmap has to be changed.
Problems at right-back
The serious injury suffered by Dani Carvajal in the early months of the competition was one of Real Madrid’s major setbacks during the season. On October 6, the Leganés full-back suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, rupture of the external collateral ligament and rupture of the popliteal tendon in his right leg. The player is expected to be available for next season, but it is anyone’s guess how he will return and whether he will be able to regain the level he was at before he got injured.
Far from looking for a replacement for the current season, Real Madrid opted to give confidence to Lucas Vázquez, one of the most veteran players in the dressing room, with 5 Champions Leagues under his belt. However, the responsibility has been too much for him. Although he has performed well in less demanding matches, in the big games against top teams he has not been able to deliver the expected performance.
In fact, Carlo Ancelotti has decided to put Fede Valverde in the full-back position, and the Uruguayan has responded as expected.
Alexander-Arnold injury
During the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 between Liverpool and PSG, Alexander-Arnold had to be taken off the field with a knee injury and alarm bells went off in the Valdebebas offices. It looks like a serious injury, although the player was able to leave the field under his own steam. We will have to wait for the tests to find out the extent of the injury.
Real Madrid will have to explore new options for the full-back position. The English player’s contract expires at the end of the current season. His signing was being seriously considered, but it was far from being decided. The Englishman’s attacking potential is indisputable, but his defensive level raised doubts in the team. However, he is an option that met many of the expectations that the team is looking for.
A transfer market without many alternatives
The position of right back is very demanding for teams like Real Madrid. They are looking for the profile of an all-round footballer who is capable of covering the flank from top to bottom, who can guarantee both attack and defense, and there are not many footballers who can deliver that performance. In recent days, Jon Aramburu, a Real Sociedad full-back, has been mentioned, and they could also look to the youth ranks, but there is no player who seems willing to take the field. The option of Fede Valverde in that position is also being considered, but Real Madrid’s technical area considers that they would be losing one of the most complete midfielders on the football scene.
Real Madrid are waiting for confirmation of Alexander-Arnold’s injury to draw up a new roadmap for next season, but what has become clear this season is that Real Madrid need to strengthen this position next season. The recovery of Dani Carvajal is anyone’s guess, and Real Madrid cannot afford to take it for granted that he will be back to his best next season, even if he can.