Real Madrid’s defense has been thrown into disarray following the season-ending ACL injury suffered by Brazilian center-back Eder Militao.
This, coupled with David Alaba’s ongoing recovery from a similar injury sustained last year, leaves manager Carlo Ancelotti with a precarious situation at the heart of his defense.
Despite the upcoming January transfer window, reports suggest the club is reluctant to pursue reinforcements, leaving Ancelotti with limited options.
Currently, Antonio Rudiger stands as the sole natural fit center-back available.
According to a recent update by AS, Ancelotti appears to favor the pairing of Frenchman Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Rudiger once the midfielder returns from injury.
However, the situation has pushed the spotlight onto an unlikely candidate: left-back Ferland Mendy.
The report claims that Ancelotti views Mendy as his “wildcard” option in central defense, even prioritizing him over natural center-back Jesus Vallejo.
This scenario would only come to play if no new signings are secured in January.
While not a typical deployment, Mendy has filled the center-back role on two occasions for Real Madrid in 2021 under Zinedine Zidane.
Should he be shifted centrally, Fran Garcia would likely cover the vacated left-back position.
Mendy, 29, has featured in nine games for Real Madrid this season, contributing to two clean sheets.
He also averages over five defensive actions per game, showcasing his defensive capabilities.
In another transfer-related development, Real Madrid has reportedly shut down any possibility of selling young midfielder Arda Guler, despite growing interest from Premier League side Arsenal.
According to a report from Fichajes, the Spanish giants view the 19-year-old Turkish playmaker as a crucial part of their long-term strategy. Club president Florentino Perez and the board believe Guler possesses the talent to shape the future of the team.
Arsenal, on the other hand, were keen on replicating their success story with Martin Odegaard by bringing Guler into the fold. However, Real Madrid’s firm stance has dashed the Gunners’ hopes of acquiring the youngster in January.
Guler joined Real Madrid from Fenerbahce in 2023, but his journey has been hampered by injuries and fierce competition for playing time.
Despite limited opportunities (307 minutes this season), he has displayed glimpses of his potential, solidifying Real Madrid’s decision to retain him.
Arsenal identified Guler’s versatility and technical prowess as ideal additions to their squad.
The Turkish international can play as an attacking midfielder or on the wings, potentially providing competition for players like Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka.
