Real Madrid forgotten defender starts preparation for pre-season ahead of schedule

Out-of-favor Real Madrid defender Jesus Vallejo is gearing up for the pre-season tour despite the uncertainty surrounding his future with the club.

Vallejo, after returning from Granda, has been proactive, sharing photos of his gym workouts on his social media with the caption, “Preparing for a new season.” 

Vallejo is expected to return to training on the 15th of the month when Real Madrid reconvene for the pre-season.

The defender might be of the idea that the departure of Nacho could potentially open up an opportunity for Vallejo to stay with the team. However, if the club succeeds in signing Leny Yoro, his chances of remaining at Real Madrid might diminish.

Real Madrid and Vallejo share different ideas

Vallejo has been with Real Madrid for nearly a decade, but his position within the team has been shaky. Reports suggest that he is not in the plans of head coach Carlo Ancelotti, and the club is open to offers.

Despite an opening in defence which might have created a vacancy for Vallejo as a fourth-choice center-back, Ancelotti seems to prefer giving opportunities to others or even using Aurelien Tchouameni in defensive roles.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s pursuit of new talent indicates that Vallejo might not have a place in the squad, despite his desire to stay and fight for his spot. In fact, he is determined to stay and contribute, particularly given the club’s current circumstances.

Vallejo’s contract with Real Madrid runs until the summer of 2025, putting the club in a challenging position. This summer is the last opportunity for the club to secure a transfer fee for Vallejo, rather than risk losing him for free when his contract expires.

While Vallejo might not command a high transfer fee, the club would prefer to receive some return on their investment rather than nothing.