Real Madrid have limited options in the right-back department following Dani Carvajal’s long-term injury.
While the club has full faith in Lucas Vazquez to serve as a replacement for Carvajal, things are a lot more uncertain when it comes to other available alternatives.
Apart from Vazquez, coach Carlo Ancelotti considers Eder Militao as a potential alternative at right-back. But if the Militao bet fails, the club is looking at Jesus Fortea to cover for the position.
According to a recent report from MARCA, Real Madrid have already set up a plan to integrate Fortea into the first team.
It appears the former Atletico Madrid starlet is set to join the first-team training once he returns from his injury.
Real Madrid are likely to consider him as a third alternative to Carvajal in the right-back position.
Regarded as one of the most talented players in the academy, Fortea’s signing was significant for Real Madrid, as they broke a non-aggression treaty with rivals Atletico Madrid to poach the young prodigy.
Since then, Fortea has been performing well in the Real Madrid youth academy. He was promoted to the Under-19 squad last year, which is managed by Alvaro Arbeloa.
Although the Real Madrid academy has produced a series of top talents in the recent past, very few of them have actually gone on to make an impact in the first team.
Fortea, to that end, has a daunting task ahead of him, if he is to make a breakthrough in Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
A lot may depend on whether or not Real Madrid sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in January – an option that is being considered right now.
Should Real Madrid not sign Alexander-Arnold in January, Fortea may have an excellent outside chance of making a breakthrough during the second half of the campaign.