Real Madrid’s lack of depth in the centre-back department has been severely exposed this season after injuries to key players.
Eder Militao ruptured his ACL on the very first day of the new season followed by another ACL injury to David Alaba in late 2023, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with just Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez as the fit senior centre-backs.
Things took a turn for the worse last week when Rudiger also succumbed to an injury, forcing the manager to utilise Dani Carvajal at centre-back in a high-profile clash against Atletico Madrid.
Now, even though Rudiger appears to have recovered, Nacho has fallen to an injury, leaving Ancelotti short again.
Despite the situation, Real Madrid do not regret not signing a new defender in the summer or January, but have plans in place to address the issue next season.
Indeed, as per AS, Real Madrid have plans to incorporate academy graduate Rafa Marin into the first-team squad for the next season.
Marin, 21, enjoyed an impressive season with Castilla during 2022/23 and even trained under Ancelotti with the first-team squad on occasions.
However, in the summer window, the young Spaniard was loaned out to Deportivo Alaves for the season, where he has been making good progress.
Marin has played 22 times in all competitions for Alaves this season and has had exposure to first-team football in La Liga, which holds him in good stead.
As things stand, the plan is for the Spaniard to be a part of the senior setup at Real Madrid next season, along with Militao, Alaba, Rudiger, and Nacho, provided he renews his contract.