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Real Madrid are heading into uncharted waters in the 2021-22 season. That's because, for the first time in many years, Los Blancos won't have a settled, world-class centre-back partnership.
With Sergio Ramos already at PSG and Raphael Varane joining Manchester United, Real Madrid have lost one of their best centre-back pairings of the last few years in one summer.
While Real Madrid did sign David Alaba in the summer, he is not an out-and-out centre-back. So the club need a specialist in that position.
They only have two recognised centre-backs in Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez. Victor Chust and Jesus Vallejo are touted to become fourth-choice centre-backs, which could prove to be a risky proposition in case of injuries to the first-choice options.
On that note, here's a look at four reasons why Real Madrid should sign a new centre-back this summer:
#4 Real Madrid lack a reliable figure at the back
The exit of Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid has left a gaping hole at the heart of their defence.
Ramos was at the heart of Real Madrid's defence, thwarting opposition attackers for many years. He marshalled the back-line brilliantly, guiding and improving all other defenders around him.
But the centre-back's departure to PSG has left Real Madrid without a reliable figure at the back. The likes of Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao are error-prone, while youngsters Jesus Vallejo and Victor Chust are pretty inexperienced.
Real Madrid have brought in David Alaba from Bayern Munich. But there are doubts whether he will be enough to tighten their defence after Raphael Varane also left Madrid to join Manchester United.
Hence a new reliable centre-back should be an immediate target for Real Madrid in the transfer window.
#3 Reliance on youngsters could prove costly
Earlier this week, reports stated that Real Madrid could look to use either Jesus Vallejo or Victor Chust as the fourth centre-back in the first team next season instead of going after a new one.
While promoting these youngsters is not a bad proposition, relying on them to fill the depth at the back could prove costly for Los Blancos.
Vallejo, for example, has failed to impress on recent loan spells at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Granada. It has been years since he played effective football for Eintracht Frankfurt.
So it is questionable whether Vallejo can perform at the required level when called upon. As was seen last season, with all the injuries in the Real Madrid camp, centre-back depth is not something to experiment with.
Meanwhile, Chust is a decent young player, but it does not look like he is ready to be a first-team centre-back next season just yet. Thus it would be risky for Real Madrid to rely on such young centre-backs, which is why they should look to acquire a more experienced centre-back in the summer.
#2 Real Madrid need depth at centre-back to compete in all competitions
A major concern for Real Madrid heading into the new season is their lack of depth in the centre-back position, which could affect them in competing for all honours. Last season, injuries to Sergio Ramos and Eder Militao meant that Real Madrid, at times, only had two fit centre-backs available to play with no backup on the bench.
Now, after the departure of both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Madrid have only two recognised centre-backs in Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez, while David Alaba could also be used to fill the position.
Any injuries to the aforementioned players could mean there is a possibility Real Madrid's lack of depth at the back could be brutally exposed. So adding another centre-back would provide Real Madrid with considerable depth and enable them to compete for all major titles.
#1 David Alaba could thrive more at left-back
David Alaba is one of the most versatile players in Europe right now. He started as a left-back but can now play as a centre-back as well as a defensive midfielder.
The recently acquired Real Madrid defender impressed at Euro 2020, playing for Austria with confidence. He will hope to bring the same to the Spanish capital next season as well.
Alaba has played at both centre-back and left-back in the past. But as was seen in the Euros, Alaba's best position is at left-back. At the tournament, Alaba ranked third ball recoveries (33), winning ten duels and making three interceptions.
He also ranked sixth in terms of passes completed (243) and had a pass completion percentage of 83. Alaba also contributed two assists and delivered 28 crosses in the tournament.
Alaba featured as a left-back in Austria's 4-2-3-1 system, a formation similar to the one Carlo Ancelotti is expected to use at Real Madrid next season. Therefore, signing a new centre-back would help Alaba move into the left-back position, a position where he be more effective for Real Madrid.
