Carlo Ancelotti will have to look for an innovation at right-back since Real Madrid’s team captain, Dani Carvajal suffers a severe knee injury.
Carvajal was substituted midway through the second half of Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal at the weekend, and the worst was later confirmed for the 32-year-old. The club statement reveals that Carvajal has damaged the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the external collateral ligament, and the popliteus tendon in the right knee. I am scheduled for operation in the coming few days.
Due to the severity of the injury, Carvajal will only be out for the rest of the season making this a number a big loss for Ancelotti. When David Alaba was ruled out of action for some time already, the options for Madrid in the back line dwindled further such that the team has only six first-team defenders.
Ancelotti nodded at the possible January signings to aid their La Liga title defense, Champions League, and next season's FIFA Club World Cup tournament which has been expanded. But until he does that, he has to settle for the interim.
For what position could Real Madrid find a suitable deputy for Dani Carvajal?
Lucas Vázquez:
Originally a winger, Vázquez has been playing as a right-back in the last few seasons. Kylian Mbappé and Endrick have been added to the attack while Arda Güler is also rising through the ranks making it almost impossible for Vázquez to get any play in that position. Now he is probably ahead of Ale firepower’s at right back in terms of priority in the eyes of Ancelotti.
Federico Valverde:
Valverde has been more of an attacking midfielder though at the national team, he has been impressive as a right-back thanks to his endurance. As of now, Ancelotti is focusing on ironing out his midfield given the loss of Kroos, but Valverde could well operate on the right side of the defense until a replacement is signed.
Jesús Vallejo:
Vallejo has been in and out of the Barça first team since his return from a loan spell at Granada, he has only been used in La Liga for only 10 minutes. Still below the pecking order of Spain’s senior team, including behind a center-back Tchouaméni Aurélien, Vallejo occasionally has been playing as a right back and could be defensive than solid Vázquez or Valverd in certain match situations.
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