Things to know about the Real Madrid academy defenders set to break into first-team

After missing out on the signing of Leny Yoro and seeing Nacho Fernandez leave at the end of the season, Real Madrid have a gap that needs filling in defence.

And while fans are probably hoping for Los Blancos to dip into the market to fill that gap, reports from Marca claim it'll more likely be filled by an academy graduate. The three mentioned were Joan Martinez, Jacobo Ramon and Raul Asencio.

All three are set to play a part in Madrid's pre-season tour of the United States, meaning fans will get the chance to see them in friendly competition before official La Liga action starts later in the summer.

Here's what you need to know about the three young defenders.

Joan Martinez

How has he performed with Real Madrid's youth teams?

Martinez joined Madrid in 2023 after impressing in the youth ranks at Levante and has continued to earn plaudits ever since.

He earned a quick jump from Juvenil C to Juvenil A level - working under Alvaro Arbeloa in the latter - and has since been called up to Madrid's squad for their pre-season tour of the USA.

Strengths?

The 6'2 defender is incredible pacy despite his height. Martinez has regularly been able to make recovery runs and tackles thanks to his athleticism and ability to read the game.

On top of that, he's also extremely proficient with the ball at his feet and has been known to bomb forward in possession at times.

Player comparison?

The hair and hairband combo scream Sergio Ramos and his playing style does, too.

The last-ditch sliding tackles he loves to make were very much a trademark of Ramos' game in the early years of his career, as is his ability in possession.

Jacobo Ramon

How has he performed with Real Madrid's youth teams?

Unlike Martinez, Jacobo Ramon has been on the books at Madrid for a very, very long time.

The 19-year-old originally joined the club way back in 2013 aged just eight and has progressed through the Juvenil teams ever since.

After a few games with the Castilla side, Ramon even made his way up to the Madrid senior team last season, training with Carlo Ancelotti's side and making the squad for a La Liga game in February.

It seems like only a matter of time before he makes his debut.

Strengths?

Another 6'2 centre-back - they grow on trees in Madrid, apparently - Ramons is an extremely proactive defender.

The 19-year-old can be regularly seen rushing into midfield to win the ball back for his side and takes it upon himself to carry it into the final third thereafter. Due to his height, he's also a threat from set-piece situations.

Player comparison?

Considering his nickname is 'Virgil' because he reminds Madrid youth coaches of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, we'll go with that.

Raul Asencio

How has he performed with Real Madrid's youth teams?

At 21 years old, Asencio is the oldest of this bunch by quite a distance.

The defender has been on the books in Madrid since 2017 and was a regular for the Castilla team throughout the 2023/24 season, making 34 Primera Federacion appearances. Like Martinez, he has been called up to the senior squad of the pre-season tour of the USA this summer.

Asencio is one of four academy players who have been under investigation for their 'dissemination of a video with sexual conduct involving a minor' in 2023.

Strengths?

Asencio is a ball-playing defender, with Castilla manager Raul regularly relying on the 21-year-old to start their attacks with vertical passes.

Player comparison?

His passing range reminds one of Leonardo Bonucci, as Asencio can play long-range passes in the same way the Juventus legend regularly did in Serie A in the 2010s.

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