Los Blancos continue to be linked with a January move for the Liverpool right-back, but it's a centre-half that Carlo Ancelotti needs right now
During Liverpool's chaotic 2-2 draw with Manchester United last week, it was difficult not to wonder if Real Madrid might be having second thoughts about signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was made to look rather ridiculous by Diogo Dalot at Anfield. However, during Sunday's shockingly one-sided Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, one could not help but imagine the right-back asking himself whether joining a team in such defensive disarray is really the right move for him.
Madrid would obviously dearly love to sign the England international before the close of the transfer window. After all, anyone else at right-back would represent an upgrade on the liability that is Lucas Vazquez, who was torn to shreds in the 5-2 humbling by Barca.
Alexander-Arnold, though, hardly offers an instant answer to Madrid's multitude of long-running and deep-rooted problems – which, rather worryingly, Carlo Ancelotti appears no closer to solving than he was the last time Los Blancos were battered by Barcelona…
Getty Images SportMissing Kroos and key defenders
After Madrid suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss in the first Clasico of the season back in October, much of the post-match narrative rather inevitably centred on Kylian Mbappe and his inability to time a run. Ancelotti, though, was acutely aware that his side had bigger issues than the France forward, who, rather unsurprisingly, is starting to come good.
Granted, Mbappe's unnecessary arrival had forced the Italian into tinkering with the make-up of a double-winning forward line, leaving less room for Rodrygo and forcing Jude Bellingham into a deeper midfield role (for a short while at least). However, Madrid were also clearly suffering from a lack of control and defensive solidity.
Toni Kroos' retirement while still at the peak of his powers robbed Madrid of a peerless playmaker capable of dictating the pace of any game, while ACL injuries devastated the defence, with Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal joining long-term absentee David Alaba on the sidelines.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'We lack solidity in defence'
So, while getting badly beaten by Barca at the Bernabeu was Madrid's first Liga loss of the season, it came as no surprise to see it immediately followed by a shocking 3-1 defeat at home to an average AC Milan outfit.
"We did not see the reaction and the same problems remain from the Clasico," Ancelotti admitted to after the Champions League meeting with one of his former clubs. "We lack solidity in defence, we are often unbalanced on the counter-attack. We’ve got to fix that, we need to be more solid and win the ball back no matter what, so that we are not so fragile.
"We have to be worried because the team has a great deal of potential and is not expressing it. We need to work on the foundations, because that is what's missing here. When you are not solid in defence, games can get complicated at any moment. We were able to recover from these situations a few times of late, but you can't do it every time."
AFPLosing their grip on two titles
Ancelotti subsequently held clear-the-air talks with his squad and stated on November 8: "We think we have found the solution, but obviously it is just a theory. We have to put it into practice now."
Some of the initial results were encouraging, with Madrid keeping three consecutive clean sheets in La Liga. But any time they've come up against a strong side over the past three months, Los Blancos have struggled terribly.
Madrid were completely outplayed at Anfield by a Liverpool team that they've inflicted so much misery on in recent years and the 2-0 scoreline actually flattered the visitors, while it's well worth noting that they've taken just one point from their league games against Atletico Madrid, Barca and Athletic Club so far this season.
Even when Madrid beat Atalanta 3-2 in a vital Champions League clash, the titleholders were desperately fortunate to escape with all three points from Bergamo, having relied on moments of individual brilliance from the likes of Mbappe and Bellingham to get the better of Gian Piero Gasperini's men, whose final-quarter onslaught would have resulted in the hosts claiming a deserved draw had it not been for some wayward finishing.
So, while Madrid should coast into the knockout stage (their final two league phase games are against Red Bull Salzburg and Brest), it's really hard to see them retaining either their European or Spanish crowns on current form – and in their current state.
(C)Getty ImagesDire need
Alaba's imminent return to first-team action is undoubtedly a big boost for Ancelotti. The Austrian's quality, versatility and leadership have all been sorely missed. However, Alaba is 32 and has been out of action for over a year – there's no telling how long it will take for him to get back up to speed.
It's, thus, easy to understand why plenty of pundits and supporters were pushing for Madrid to bring in a young centre-back during the summer transfer window – and seeing Lenny Yoro leave Lille for Manchester United rather than Santiago Bernabeu was an undoubted blow.
Vitor Reis subsequently come under strong consideration, but the Brazilian teenager now seems bound for Manchester City, who have been dealing with their own defensive deficiencies in recent months. At the other end of the age scale, Aymeric Laporte has been touted as a short-term solution but, according to the latest reports in Spain, Al-Nassr are reluctant to let the 30-year-old leave during the winter window.
It's also been claimed that while there is an acknowledgement at the Bernabeu that defensive reinforcement is required, new signings are unlikely in January because of the usual difficulty involved in getting good value for money.