Since David Alaba's injury, Antonio Rüdiger has become a key player in Real Madrid's defense. The German center-back is a regular in Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI.
Although he was initially a substitute for Alaba and Militão, he's now indispensable. Nacho's departure and Alaba's injury have left Ancelotti without options in defense, forcing him to choose Rüdiger in every game.
This wear and tear has begun to take its toll on Rüdiger. The German has been playing with discomfort in one of his knees for months. According to Ramón Álvarez de Mon, he could have “premature arthritis” in his knee, which is serious for an elite defender.
Fear of Serious Injury
Real Madrid has been concerned about a serious injury to Antonio Rudiger, who would leave Ancelotti short of options in central defense.
Alaba will still need to recover and the club doesn't have enough quality replacements. The lack of options was noticeable against Stuttgart, where Carvajal, a right-back, had to play as a center-back alongside Rüdiger.
This situation has led the club to explore solutions on the market. However, Real Madrid prefers to avoid impulsive decisions. Its strategy is clear: only sign when there's a strategic opportunity.
Yarek Gasiorowski is in the Sights of Real Madrid
Given this context, Ancelotti and the sporting management have begun to evaluate young options to reinforce defense. One of the most notable names is Valencia's Yarek Gasiorowski.
Born in 2005, this center-back has caught the eye of Real Madrid scouts for his physique and potential. Standing at 1.92 meters tall[6' 3"], Gasiorowski is an imposing figure. He has the ability to play both as a center-back and left-back, which is very useful.
Gasiorowski belongs to the same generation as Leny Yoro, another young center-back who was of interest to Real Madrid. Although Yoro signed with Manchester United, the interest of the club in a player with similar characteristics remains strong. Gasiorowski ticks all the boxes: young, versatile and physically powerful.
A Strategic Transfer, Not an Urgent one
Ancelotti knows that strengthening defense is important. However, he also understands that Real Madrid prefers to act calmly in the transfer market. The club is following a policy of patience, as seen in the cases of Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane.
Although Alaba will be back soon, he's already 32 years old. Rüdiger, at 31, is also facing the wear and tear of age. Militão, at 26, is the only clear future player in defense, but he needs a young partner to guarantee the long-term solidity of the defense.
Gasiorowski seems to be an ideal option for Real Madrid. His transfer would be strategic and well planned. For Ancelotti, having a new “Sergio Ramos”, young and adaptable, would be the perfect solution to strengthen defense.