David Alaba chooses his replacement at Real Madrid and asks Ancelotti for him right away

Real Madrid faces the upcoming matches with a dynamic as surprising as it is negative:  there are barely two central defenders in the first team squad. The injuries of Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba, the latter two separated by just one day, have further complicated the management of the current season for Carlo Ancelotti.

The Reggiolo coach is playing for the continuity of the white club in the Copa del Rey and Champions League, as well as the leadership of LaLiga, with Raúl Asencio and Jesús Vallejo. The '35' from the Canary Islands, directly promoted from La Fábrica, is the only one currently with the possibility of playing the matches approaching in the competitive merengue calendar.

Bad experiences with Jesús Vallejo would have ruled him out in the eyes of Carlo Ancelotti, who, to complete the defensive axis, would have Aurélien Tchouaméni join Raúl Asencio. David Alaba, the last central defender injured at Real Madrid, has been very clear with his coach:  the '14' from France must return to the midfield, his natural and original position. The reason is the presence of a central defender, also in La Fábrica, whom he knows firsthand.

Meanwhile, the '4' Austrian points to Jacobo Ramón as the ideal player to form a defensive duo with Raúl Asencio in the upcoming matches. This player, also forged in the demanding lower categories of Madrid, has left a mark in every youth team he has passed through. In fact, Carlo Ancelotti himself aspired to count on him as the first option when Militão was injured.

Clear indication

But  Jacobo Ramón suffered a significant muscle injury that left him out of all discussions, albeit temporarily. In that recovery process, he has coincided with a David Alaba who has become his confidant and mentor in every sense. Especially when it comes to coolly handling 'high-voltage' defensive situations like those he might face in the upcoming matches.

The recommendation of David Alaba, a player in whom Carlo Ancelotti fully trusts, only reinforces the previously acquired belief of the Italian strategist himself. Jacobo Ramón is a regular in press conferences whenever the central defender dilemma is discussed, because his improvement is truly notable and makes it impossible for him to go unnoticed.

His debut in the match against RB Salzburg left good impressions. Likewise, his inclusion in the squad for the quarterfinals against Leganés sends a clear message fueled by rumors of a possible starting position against the 'pepinero' team. His defensive virtues make him the player the Reggiolo coach has been searching for these months to solve the personnel shortage in the defensive axis.

His almost two meters (6 feet 7 inches), long stride, and defensive strength, with a privileged physique that allows him to win almost all aerial duels, are Jacobo Ramón's calling card. Carlo Ancelotti has 'followed' him for months, but the personal recommendation of David Alaba could mean his definitive step into the starting line-up.