How Real Madrid plan to replace Eder Militao after ACL injury
- Eder Militao will miss the majority of the season with an ACL injury
- Real Madrid are not expected to buy a new centre-back to replace him
- The club will instead promote Marvel from the reserve team, according to reports
Real Madrid will not sign a new centre-back to replace the injured Eder Militao and will instead promote one of the club's youngsters into the first team, according to a report in Spain.
Militao ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Real Madrid's opening match of La Liga against Athletic Club and will miss the vast majority of the current campaign as a result.
The injury means that Madrid only have David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez as senior centre-back options.
However, instead of looking to make a signing before the transfer window closes, the club has opted to promote 20-year-old Marvel from Real Madrid Castilla, according to AS.
Marvel, who is a Spanish international at Under-19 level, trained with the first team this week and will be a part of Real Madrid's squad while Militao is out, before a review of the situation ahead of the January transfer window.
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Marvel is yet to make his debut for the first team but was part of the squad that competed for the FIFA Club World Cup in February, taking Alaba's spot in the squad after the Austrian went down injured.
The left-footed centre-back made his Castilla debut in late 2021. He has gone on to make 31 appearances for Real Madrid’s reserve team, which is now coached by Raul, who has been in charge since 2019.
Reports suggest that Ancelotti feels that his current three senior centre-backs bring enough experience, and is willing to embed a youth player into the squad.
Marvel can still play for Castilla when not needed by the first team.
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