5 long-term replacements for a declining Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid

The unedifying spectacle of Dejan Lovren trying to clown, Ramos, has been a headline story recently. This has served in some way to deflect from what has been a terrible campaign for the Real Madrid and Spain captain.

An undoubted legend at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Ramos is Los Merengues' heartbeat, leader and on-field general.

His displays against England and Croatia in Spain's recent UEFA Nations League losses have been poor, to say the least. He played a leading role in both 3-2 losses as La Furia Roja threw away a great start to finish second in League A, Group 4 behind the English.

He has also been very bad for Madrid as the team has had a torrid 2018/2019 campaign so far. This cost coach Julen Lopetegui his job. Although results have improved somewhat under Santiago Solari, Ramos still looks like an accident waiting to happen.

Florentino Perez messed up badly in failing to anticipate/plan for Cristiano Ronaldo's departure. There should have been a plan to replace him even before the transfer happened. He will be wary that such does not re-occur with his captain.

Currently aged 32, Ramos still has a way to go but Real Madrid needs to begin planning for his inevitable decline/departure.

Here is a look at 5 potential replacements who could slot in for El Captian both now and in the long-term;

#5 Jorge Mere (Cologne)

Meré looks like the best Spanish option to replace Ramos

Real Madrid has always had a Spanish presence in the heart of its defence. Jose Antonio Salguero, Manuel Sanchis, Fernando Hierro, Ivan Helguera and now Ramos are a few of the great Spanish centre-backs to have donned the all-white jersey.

The Oviedo-born Meré could be the latest example of this trend. His arrival on the scene for Sporting Gijon was met with widespread enthusiasm. It was believed that he had everything needed to get to the top.

The youngster has been unfortunate to have been in weak teams (Sporting Gijon were relegated from La Liga two seasons ago while Cologne was relegated from the Bundesliga last season). However, he has been prominent for the Goats who currently sit 2nd on the Bundesliga.2 table.

A good reader of the game who defends with intelligence rather than brute strength, Meré is good in the air and is aggressive - traits that he shares with the player he would replace if he ever moves to the Santiago Bernabeu.

He could be a great understudy and eventual replacement for Ramos. He will also be a cheaper option compared to other potential targets.

#4 Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)

The Dane has shown enough to suggest that he could do a good job for Los Blancos

Why would Real Madrid want a player who has been warming the bench at Chelsea? The answer offers itself up in the quality of work he has put in.

During his two-year loan spell at Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach, Christensen was imperious. A slim, almost elf-like figure, his anticipation, passing, intelligent positioning, and aerial ability shone brightly.

The Danish international shone brightly in the early part of Chelsea's campaign last season. Unfortunately, like the team itself, his form dipped badly in the latter parts of the season. New Blues coach Maurizio Sarri has preferred the partnership of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger

Given his relatively young age (22), Christensen is a player who still has some way to go before becoming the classy centre-back his talent promises. His composure on the ball could be better. He also needs to get stronger in tackling and body checking opposing attackers.

Were he to move to Real Madrid, the club will be getting a player who can become as important as Gerald Pique is to El Clasico rivals, Barcelona. His passing and reading of the game is excellent, he could be a perfect foil for the more physical Ramos and Raphael Varane

#3 Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)

Milenkovic is a star whose stock is on the rise

Milenkovic is undoubtedly one of the most in-demand centre-backs in Europe today. Quietly going about his business, he has developed into one of the finest young defenders in Serie A.

The Serbian international has been used by Viola manager Paulo Sousa as a right back. He has been effective in this position, however, it is clear that he belongs in central defence. This is similar to Ramos who spent years as a right back before being moved to the centre by Jose Mourinho.

Strong in the air and sure-footed, his style is reminiscent of fellow Serbian Nemanja Vidic. Milenkovic however, models his game more in the style of Pique rather than Ramos. He is unhurried in possession. Playing as a right-back in a forward-going team like Fiorentina has helped him improve on his passing and distribution.

This makes him perfect for Real as he could be the yin to Ramos/Varane's yang; the calm passer/comptroller of the ball while the others bring the physicality/aggression. Los Merengues will need to move quickly as Manchester United have also identified the Serbian as a potential target. He may cost up to £60m.

#2 Manuel Akanji (Borussia Dortmund)

Akanji's class makes him a ready-to-go-option to replace Sergio Ramos

A few eyebrows were raised when in January, Dortmund opted to pay €18m to get the Swiss international from FC Basel. It is a fee that has looked like a bargain ever since the Nigerian-born star made his bow for the German giants.

Confident on the ball with an assurance that one would expect from an older defender, the 23-year-old has looked like a Rolls-Royce player under manager Lucien Favre.

Brilliant in the air despite not being the tallest defender (1.86 m), he is similar to Ramos in that respect. Like Ramos, he is aggressive in tackling and marking and knows exactly when to take one for the team.

His can-do attitude and fearlessness do not detract from his on-the-ball skills as he is excellent at bringing the ball out of defence. If signed, Akanji could provide the tenacity that has been a hallmark of Ramos' playing style while offering similar output in terms of being proactive and threatening from set-pieces.

It is unclear just how much Dortmund will ask for him. However, it is not expected to be anything less than €60m Given his potential, it could prove to be a deal as successful as the €27m that brought Ramos to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2005.

#1 Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich)

Sule would be a like-for-like option to replace Ramos

For a while now, Sule has been viewed as the long-term successor to Jerome Boateng for club and country. This is a measure of how good he is.

Due to his height and German heritage, the 23-year-old has often been compared to his fellow countryman Per Mertesacker. While Per was noted for his immaculate sense of positioning (a compensation for his lack of speed), Sule is fast for a centre-back. This helps him get back into defensive positions to thwart opposition attacks.

His height and physical strength make him tailor-made to replace Ramos. His self-confidence means he would not find it difficult to step into the Spanish captain's very large shoes. Despite his age, he is an excellent marshaller of the backline. He could easily step into the role of defensive leader and organizer.

If Real Madrid were to get his signature, he would cost them something close to what Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil Van Dijk. Given his abilities, it could prove to be a brilliant decision.