As the noose tightens around Real Madrid’s defence, Carlo Ancelotti is forced to explore options he never considered.
The manager stepped into the new season well aware of the short-staffed defensive unit, especially after the club refused to sign a backup option when Leny Yoro snubbed them for Manchester United.
Nacho Fernandez’s departure, moreover, left the manager with just two fit centre-backs who he counted on – Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger. David Alaba, after all, is still a few months away from a return.
With the Brazilian now ruled out alongside the first-choice backup Aurelien Tchouameni, Jesus Vallejo appears set to emerge as a surprise hero.
Never part of the plan
As revealed earlier this summer, Vallejo was never a part of Ancelotti’s plans and was, in fact, coerced to leave the club.
The player, however, insisted on seeing through the final year of his contract at the club of his dreams.
Spanish journalist Rodra (h/t RM4Arab) now brings to light the efforts Los Blancos put in to get the player off their books last month.
After the pre-season tour in the United States, the club conveyed to Vallejo that he was not part of the manager’s plans and offered to facilitate his departure immediately.
In fact, they even offered to pay him the remaining salary on his contract to clear all pending dues. Vallejo, however, refused and insisted on staying in the team to help his teammates and the coach if the chance arrived.
Indeed, his moment appears to have arrived now with Ancelotti staring at an acute shortage of defensive options heading into the clash against Real Sociedad.
With Alaba, Militao and Tchouameni injured, Vallejo is now a strong candidate to start against the Basque side. He has not made his debut yet this season but next weekend could witness the unthinkable happen.
