Real Madrid outcast reminds Carlo Ancelotti of his availability | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti are facing a significant issue due to the shortage of available centre-backs.

With Eder Militao sidelined for an extended period due to injury and the recent unexpected absences of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, the Italian coach was forced to rely on two youth-team players, Asencio and Jacobo Ramon, for their Copa del Rey clash against Leganes.

In a surprising move, Ancelotti opted for the academy players instead of calling on Jesus Vallejo, a senior squad member who has clearly fallen out of favour at the club.

Vallejo’s diminishing role became even more apparent with this decision, highlighting his lack of importance in Ancelotti’s tactical plans.

A reminder

Despite this challenging situation, Vallejo has maintained a professional attitude, continuing to train diligently. Recently, he took to social media to share his ongoing commitment, posting training photos as a gesture of perseverance.

However, his exclusion from several matchday squads over the past month, including games against Brest, Valladolid, and Celta, further underscores his marginalised position within the team.

Although Vallejo is expected to be part of the squad for crucial upcoming fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, there is little indication that Ancelotti’s stance will change.

The coach’s preference for younger, less experienced players suggests that Vallejo’s opportunities will remain limited.

Vallejo has hardly played

This season, Vallejo has only seen 11 minutes of action, during a match against Alaves at Santiago Bernabeu.

With Real Madrid leading 3-0 at the time of his introduction, the game eventually ended 3-2. That brief appearance has been his sole contribution so far, even amid a defensive crisis.

The road ahead for Vallejo looks uncertain. Despite his continuous training efforts and professional approach, it appears unlikely that he will secure more game time under Ancelotti.

For now, his role at Real Madrid remains unclear, and whether he can change his fortunes within the squad remains to be seen.