After his incredible performance against Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs, young defender Raúl Asensio has established himself as an undisputed starter—a tricky situation for the Italian coach to manage.
Having joined Real Madrid’s first team last November, Raúl Asensio wasted no time in making an impact. Strong on his feet, faster than any other defender in the Madrid squad, and above all, unshakable against any attacker, the defender—who turns 22 on 13 February—has won everyone over. Whether in Spain or elsewhere, pundits are urging Carlo Ancelotti to keep faith in him, even after the returns of David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and Éder Militão, the team’s established centre-backs.
What choice for the Madrid coach?
As things stand, the situation remains manageable for Carlo Ancelotti. Given David Alaba’s lack of match fitness following a lengthy injury, the Madrid coach can realistically field a Raúl Asensio – Antonio Rüdiger partnership in big matches. In so-called smaller fixtures, he could rotate his defence. However, by the end of the season or the next, which will coincide with Éder Militão’s return, a tough decision will have to be made.
Considering the close relationship between the Italian coach and Militão, Asensio could very well find himself pushed down the pecking order—a scenario that might not sit well with many, including Morientes. Given the XXL performances of the 22-year-old Spaniard, who has firmly won over the fans, the decision will require careful thought. However, with a congested fixture schedule, the young sensation could still get regular playing time. At his age, patience will be key for him to become an indispensable part of Madrid’s squad.
David Alaba out for Asensio?
Looking at the contracts of Madrid’s centre-backs, the player most likely to leave is David Alaba. At 32, the Austrian defender’s contract with Real Madrid runs until June 2026, just like Antonio Rüdiger’s. However, given that he has spent over a year sidelined and suffered a relapse after only a few minutes on the pitch, the former Bayern Munich star may struggle to regain the necessary rhythm. As of now, there are no signs that Madrid will extend his deal.
With Asensio shining and rumours linking William Saliba to the club in the coming months, it seems unlikely that Florentino Pérez will offer a new contract to David Alaba. At this rate, Alaba could leave at the end of the current season in search of regular playing time elsewhere, or he might opt to stay as a squad player until his contract expires next season. Raúl Asensio’s meteoric rise is certainly giving Real Madrid plenty to think about.
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