Defensive Woes: Real Madrid Faces Ongoing Crisis Ahead of Season Start

The center-back position continues to pose a crisis for Real Madrid ahead of the start of the La Liga season, due to the numerical deficiency the team is experiencing, alongside the midfield problem that has emerged since the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

According to Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo," Real Madrid has yet to find a creative midfielder capable of orchestrating play, after hoping to resolve the issue by signing Rodri, who has closed the door on a move to the royal club.

In central defense, José Mourinho has only three fit defenders available for the match against Espanyol on August 22: Antonio Rüdiger, Ibrahima Konaté, and Dean Henderson. Meanwhile, Marco Asensio and Éder Militão are sidelined due to injury.

During the pre-season matches, Rüdiger and Hausen did not deliver performances that inspire full confidence, while Konaté has yet to participate. Mourinho has relied on defenders from Real Madrid's academy during the first two friendly matches.

Mourinho has been calling for a new center-back since day one, and despite the signing of Konaté, he still wishes to strengthen the backline. However, this may require the departure of Asensio, which does not seem imminent at the moment due to his injury.

The biggest hopes are pinned on the return of Militao, who has begun training on the pitch at Valdebebas, with the possibility of returning to action in October. However, concerns remain due to his two serious knee injuries.