After a second thrashing of the season, which saw Real Madrid taken apart at the back by Barcelona, ​​questions are loud and blunt at the door of La Casa Blanca. Nothing more relevant than the one about their backline.
With David Alaba still on his way back from a serious knee injury and Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao ruled out for the rest of the season, Real Madrid are a bit short at the back. It has led to questions about why Los Blancos have not strengthened their backline in the transfer market, with Lucas Vazquez struggling at right-back and Aurelien Tchouameni being deployed at centre-back – and we are looking at that.
The Athletic reports that Ancelotti requested defensive reinforcements in the summer but made no move, with failed attempts to bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Leny Yoro not followed by further action. Relevo agrees and confirms that there are those within the club who have recognized the need to sign a centre-back and a right-back now or in the summer.
That much was agreed at a meeting between Ancelotti, general manager Jose Angel Sanchez and chief scout Juni Calafat in December, but once again Los Blancos have been passive in the transfer market. The club do not believe in making any moves in January, and Raul Asencio's performances are being held up as an argument that there is enough talent in the academy and that they can be used to supplement the squad. Ancelotti and his staff believe that young players should be introduced little by little so that they are not burned too early by overexposure.
Since deals like Reinier Jesus and Luka Jovic's, which totaled €95 million in ineffective spending, the club has been obsessed with not overspending on players. President Florentino Perez is determined not to spend money on players he believes are not worth every cent.
Whatever the motives for their inaction in the transfer market, it has left them in a situation that calls into question their trophy prospects this season. If Trent Alexander-Arnold arrives this summer, it is logical that Real Madrid are now reluctant to sign anyone. However, if they leave Ancelotti without reinforcements, they will have to lower expectations accordingly, something that does not appear to be on the table.