Real Madrid’s defensive pecking order revealed after missing out on Leny Yoro

An insight into the planned pecking order at the heart of defence at La Liga giants Real Madrid for the season ahead has this week been forthcoming online.

The subject of the central defensive options at the disposal of Carlo Ancelotti has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Spain’s capital over the course of recent days.

This comes after Real were forced to kiss goodbye to a leading summer transfer target.

Unwilling to cough up the kind of fee being demanded by LOSC Lille for Leny Yoro, Los Blancos saw their long-time priority target at the back make the move to England, with Manchester United.

Ensuing word in the media has since pointed towards the brass at the Santiago Bernabéu being largely unfazed, ready to proceed with the current crop of stoppers at the club.

What, though, does this mean when it comes to the favoured options in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad?

An insight into as much has since been provided, by Marca.

The first-choice defensive pairing at Real Madrid in 2024/25 will be Antonio Rüdiger, and Éder Militão.

From here, the hope is that David Alaba will return to full fitness over the season’s early months, to act as the third-choice option for Los Blancos.

In the meantime, though, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will again be counted on as an option at the back, ahead of the returning Jesús Vallejo, who looks increasingly likely to stay put to act as emergency cover.

Conor Laird | GSFN