Although Saturday's draw against Rayo once again exposed Real Madrid's weaknesses at right-back, the club's transfer strategy remains the same.
Real Madrid's 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano once again provided sharp relief to Los Blancos' right-back problems. With first-choice starter Dani Carvajal out for the season with a serious knee injury, his substitute, Lucas Vázquez, is showing just how tough it is to have to play such a large number of games – a situation made worse by the fact that the 33 -year-old… -year-old is a winger who only converted to defense late in his career. Meanwhile, when Madrid employs midfielder Fede Valverde in this position, the team's engine room loses a player whose ability to get on and off the pitch is crucial.
With two weeks to go until the January transfer window opens, Madrid's chiefs remain adamant they will not enter the market for a new right-back until the end of the season.
What are Real Madrid's current right-back alternatives?
While Madrid's academy offers a number of options, none appear to offer a major solution at the moment. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has called up two 'B' team players for the matchday squads – 22-year-old Loren Aguado and 20-year-old David Jiménez – but neither has seen any action. Ancelotti has also opted not to use Under-19 teenager Jesús Fortea, the most highly rated right-back in the club's academy. Centre-back Raúl Asencio moved to the right for a spell in Madrid's Champions League win over Atalanta in midweek – and did a decent job of chaining winger Ademola Lookman – but the 21-year-old is mainly needed in the middle.
Yet it seems that Madrid will continue to look at home for the time being, for better or for worse. Within the club, Vázquez is praised for his leadership and commitment to the cause, but the fact remains that he is not having his best season. Not helped by a groin injury sustained in November, his defensive stats are worse than in any of the past three seasons – and, worst of all, he gave an unmistakable impression of vulnerability in two big games this season: the 4-0 defeat of October. to Barcelona, in which Jude Bellingham had to help him constantly against Raphinha, and November's 3-1 defeat against AC Milan, in which he was let down by Rafael Leão.
And in Vallecas this weekend, Vázquez had a hand in two of Madrid's goals against Rayo, although in the second he can hardly be blamed for failing to beat Abdul Mumin, who is a good six inches taller than him .
Real Madrid are ready for the TAA summer signing
While Ancelotti won't completely rule out a mid-season signing, we'll take stock of where we stand after the game against Sevilla. [on December 22]he has told reporters – club chiefs have made no firm plans to sign a right-back in January. As things stand, the Madrid hierarchy is determined to delay a summer transfer for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract at the end of the season. In a similar vein, Madrid are also playing the waiting game in their pursuit of Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, who is also a free agent in the summer. In both cases, Los Blancos are confident of landing their man.
The only scenario in which Madrid bosses could be persuaded to make a U-turn on their January transfer plan would be if a major injury were to further limit Ancelotti's options at right-back during the Spanish and European champions' two remaining games in 2024. Ends the calendar year with the Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca on December 18, before taking on Sevilla in LaLiga four days later.
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