Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images
Real Madrid’s defensive crisis has the club offices working around the clock to find solutions and it is still not clear how they intend to cover the gaping hole at the back.
Eder Militao’s season-ending injury leaves Antonio Rudiger as the only option for Los Blancos in central defence, especially with David Alaba not having a particular date for his return and the manager not trusting Jesus Vallejo.
It has thus been rumoured that the club will look into a new signing in January, while other schools of thought are coercing the manager to count on the academy.
Nacho gives his view
Speaking to the COPE in a recent interview, former Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez gave his thoughts on the club’s start to the season, injury concerns and whether he regretted leaving the club last summer.
He first began by stating that Real Madrid’s start to the season was not as disastrous as it is made to be and extended his faith in Carlo Ancelotti.
“If there is a coach who deserves credit and who deserves to be respected and given confidence to get this situation forward, it is Ancelotti. I don’t think the situation is a disaster either,” remarked the defender.
Nacho hopes Ancelotti will bet on the academy
Militao’s injury earlier this week leaves Los Blancos in dire need of a new defender and the player was thus asked if the club must look to the market for solutions.
“Real Madrid has a tremendous ability to come out ahead in the face of all adversities. The decision they make will be the right one.”
As an academy graduate himself, however, he vouched for the youth at the club and hoped they would get their chances too.
“I would love for Real Madrid not to sign anyone and bet on academy boys. The youth team needs opportunities and now is the perfect time.”
On the remote possibility that Sergio Ramos returns to Real Madrid as a stand-in, he said,
“He is a Real Madrid legend and a friend of mine, it would be great to see him again.”
Nacho does not regret leaving Real Madrid
The player was then quizzed on whether he regretted leaving Real Madrid seeing the current defensive situation at the club.
“It was a decision that was very clear to me, I felt that my time had come. I’m super proud of everything I experienced at Real Madrid, but I don’t regret it,” Nacho remarked.
“No need to lie, obviously I earn a lot more money here than at Real Madrid. Nobody is going to change me by telling me that I came here for the money,” he added on the perks.
Finally, he was asked if he would consider returning to the club, to which he said,
“They haven’t called me, but I’m not even considering it. Now I have to suffer with Real Madrid as a fan.”
Nacho’s verdict on the Ballon d’Or
Speaking to the media on Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or over Vinicius Jr, the former defender explained why he felt his former teammate deserved the accolade.
“I’m very happy for Rodri. I would definitely have given it to Vinicius, for me he is number one right now.”
He also gave his two cents on how the Brazilian would come out of this stronger and praised his mental strength.
“I congratulated Rodri and wrote to Vini to tell him that he will come out of this stronger. Vinicius has a mental strength that is admirable.”
On Mbappe and La Liga
Nacho was then asked to speak on Kylian Mbappe’s mediocre start to the season and the growing pressure that is weighing him down.
“He is one of the best in the world, but until he adapts it will be difficult. He has the character and strength to be a great Real Madrid player.”
Finally, he gave his verdict on the La Liga race and who his favourites are to lift the title.
“Barcelona are having a very good year, it is going to be a nice and contested year. I think Real Madrid will win La Liga.”
