On Monday, August 4, Real Madrid returns to Valdebebas to prepare for the start of the season with a 15-day preseason before their debut at the Santiago Bernabéu against Osasuna. The start of La Liga is just around the corner for Xabi Alonso, who must make decisions after what he saw at the Club World Cup. One of the main decisions concerns the defense, where it seems clear that Dean Huijsen will be the undisputed starter, but there are doubts about who will be his partner. The favorite is Eder Militao, whose form could determine the future of the transfer market for the Whites. The month of August will be key for the future of Real Madrid’s defense.
A defense with doubts
Real Madrid has had a season to forget, with the spotlight on a defense that was leaking everywhere. Injuries took their toll from the very first minute, and the team suffered from a loss of quality and performance at the back. The team has made three signings to fix its battered defense, which will play a more prominent role with the arrival of Xabi Alonso.
The coach wants to play with three center backs and two wingbacks and for the team to grow and build play from the back. The signings have been key to this task, as Carreras and Trent have great ball control and attacking vision, while Dean Huijsen has arrived to anchor the defense and has already become indispensable during the Club World Cup. The only game he missed was the semi-final against PSG, when the team was leaky at the back.
Dean Huijsen is looking for a partner… and Militao is the favorite
Despite his youth, Huijsen has shown great confidence and solidity in defense, has been very good in the air, and his ball control, passing, and vision to play the best through ball between the lines have made him a key player who, in the words of the coach, still has room for improvement. With the Spanish international a fixture in the starting eleven, a partner is being sought for him in the center of defense. That is where Xabi Alonso has the most doubts. In the World Cup, he started by pairing him with Asencio, but all the ground the youth player had gained during a season in which he became an undisputed starter was lost during the tournament with an image of total insecurity and several serious mistakes that have cost him his place in the starting lineup.
With the Canary Islander ruled out, the coach tried Rüdiger, who showed his quality, although he also made a few mistakes that leave him somewhat in doubt. In his case and that of Eder Militao, the favorite to partner Huijsen, the concern is their fitness after suffering serious injuries. The one who is ruled out is Alaba, whom the club is looking to offload.
Militao’s injury and the future of the defense
Eder Militao returned in the Club World Cup after more than nine months out of action. He came on in the second half against PSG, showed flashes of his quality, and earned praise from Alonso. A fully fit Militao would mean that Real Madrid would have one of the most proven center backs in the world. Xabi Alonso has not yet been able to test how the Brazilian works with Den Huijsen, and that is the challenge.
The Brazilian’s recovery is a concern for the Whites. On November 9, 2024, he tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee. This happened just when he seemed to be regaining his best form after suffering the same injury to his left knee in August 2023. The club is committed to him, but will be closely monitoring his performance in the first few weeks of competition before making any decisions.
Konaté on standby
Real Madrid is keeping its options open with Ibrahima Konaté. The Liverpool center back has been on the club’s radar for some time, and they want to sign him for free next summer. The player has rejected offers to renew his contract and seems determined to move to the Santiago Bernabéu. The English club has given up on him and that is why they have put him on the market, aware that it is better to cash in now than to let him go as they did with Trent.
Initially, the idea of the Whites is to wait until next summer, but everything will depend on Militao’s performance in the first games of the season. If the player is at 100%, the door will be closed to a signing this summer. However, if the doubts continue, the Spanish club is considering making a last-minute offer for the Liverpool center back. At present, the English club is asking for $50 million, but Real Madrid, which has no intention of going above $25 million, is counting on the fact that, as it is a last-minute signing, the asking price may come down and they will be open to negotiation.