Frank Christian
This season, Real Madrid is facing a challenge in defense as coach Carlo Ancelotti will be without two essential players for the entire campaign.
Both Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are sidelined after undergoing surgery for ACL injuries, and David Alaba continues to be unavailable for an extended period.
This shortage of defenders has raised some worries among fans of Los Blancos, especially since Ancelotti has not confirmed whether he will seek new players during the upcoming transfer window.
While Ancelotti is not in a hurry to make decisions, the demands from various competitions could strain his current squad, and he may look to the reserve team for additional support.
The latest addition to the main squad is the promising center-back Raul Asencio, who has recently made his debut in Ancelotti’s lineup.
At just 21 years old, Asencio had not participated in any top-tier matches until November, but he has quickly found his footing, having played three full matches, including a UEFA Champions League debut at Liverpool.
Ancelotti hopes that Asencio can gain valuable experience swiftly, and reports from Marca indicate that the club is considering a contract extension for him due to his strong performances.
He currently has a contract that runs until June 2026, which includes a release clause of €50 million ($53 million). The club aims to solidify his commitment while keeping the exit clause intact.
Given the busy schedule, any announcement regarding an improved contract may be postponed until summer, but Real Madrid intends to present an informal offer by early 2025.
