Xabi Alonso trusts 21-year-old Real Madrid academy product to step up amid injury problems | OneFootball

Real Madrid have a problem at right-back with the absences of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, both of whom succumbed to injuries earlier this month.

Manager Xabi Alonso is left without a frontline right-back until their return and needs solutions for the coming weeks. The main options to fill in, as things stand, are an inconsistent Raul Asensio and a reluctant Federico Valverde.

As reported earlier today, though, a youngster from the academy, David Jimenez, has emerged as another alternative for the manager, and is in the squad for tomorrow’s game against Kairat Almaty.

Xabi Alonso has confidence in Jimenez

Now, according to MARCA, Xabi Alonso wants David Jimenez by his side and has full confidence in the young defender should he need to rely on him.

In fact, following Trent’s injury against Marseille on 16 September and the subsequent sending off of Carvajal in the same match, the coach had already taken the decision to promote Jimenez to the first team on an indefinite basis.

Xabi Alonso trusts David Jimenez. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

This decision will last at least until after the international break, when Trent is likely to return from his injury.

Jimenez was a trusted player for former Castilla coach Raul Gonzalez, and played 37 of the team’s 38 league games last season, clocking more than 3000 minutes, scoring three, and assisting five goals.

The 21-year-old defender was one of the most outstanding players of the reserve team last season in both consistency and performance, and as such, had offers to leave.

But new Castilla coach Alvaro Arbeloa blocked his exit. At the same time, the club reinforced its commitment to him and revised his contract.

Jimenez has been at Real Madrid since 2013 and having showcased his potential through the youth and reserve ranks, he has seemingly convinced Xabi Alonso as well.

The manager has full confidence in the youngster and will not hesitate to turn to him if needed.