'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Eden Hazard
Real Madrid's record signing following Cristiano Ronaldo's untimely exit, Eden Hazard was expected to help Los Blancos kick off a new era in their history. Instead, the Belgian wideman has spent most of his time in Spain on the treatment table, suffering from 12 separate injuries in the past two seasons.
Despite having only one year remaining on his Chelsea contract, Real Madrid forked out a massive €115m to acquire Hazard's services in 2019. The productive playmaker has managed to make just 46 appearances for the men in white, scoring a paltry five goals. Last season saw Hazard don the Real Madrid jersey for a mere 896 minutes across all competitions.
With Vinicius Junior starting the season in red-hot form, Hazard could see his game-time reduced even further to accommodate the youngster. Starting on the left-flank, Vinicius has managed to score three goals in as many games. If he continues to impress, the only logical step at Ancelotti's disposal would be to drop the 30-year-old injury-prone dribbler in favor of the Brazilian.
#2 Lucas Vazquez
A quintessential squad player, Lucas Vazquez has managed to maintain his position in Real Madrid's team for a far longer period than his abilities should permit. Vazquez is a product of the fabled La Fabrica, graduating to the senior squad in 2015. The Spaniard was never rated as a youngster. Yet, he has racked up more Real Madrid appearances than Ronaldo de Lima, Kaka and Angel Di Maria, just to name a few.
Primarily a right-winger, the utility man has been deployed in various positions to balance the team's dynamics. While not an excellent player of any sort, Vazquez has managed to get the job done every time he has been summoned. In injury-riddled seasons, the 30-year-old Spanish international has also been used as an interim right-back.
Due to Real Madrid's paper-thin squad, Vazquez continues to enjoy the inflow of opportunities to date. Having played under four different managers, the cheeky forward has managed to outlast every single one of them. If Real Madrid are to leave their troubled past behind, Ancelotti needs to drop Vazquez as soon as possible.
#1 Jesus Vallejo
The fact that Jesus Vallejo is still contracted to Real Madrid is a baffling one. Many fans would've assumed that after five different loan spells, the Spaniard would have definitely been given the boot. Nevertheless, six years on from signing his first-ever contract with the senior squad, Vallejo continues to be on Real Madrid's payroll.
Vallejo was touted to be the next defensive superstar at the Bernabeu, destined to follow in Sergio Ramos' footsteps. However, the error-prone center-back tanked massively and is considered to be a washed-up player at the age of 24. Disappointing loan spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Granada have only deterred the youngster's cause.
With Real Madrid failing to add any quality defenders to their ranks following the combined exits of Raphael Varane and Ramos, Ancelotti has very limited options on his hands. However, Nacho has proved to be a half-decent defender and David Alaba is capable of playing in the center. The Italian tactician will most probably end up resting Vallejo for the majority of the season. And rightly so.
Also read: 5 Real Madrid legends who left on free transfers
