David Alaba was one of the players who left Real Madrid at the end of last season, putting an end to what was a difficult few years in his career.
While the Austrian star did start well at Real Madrid after arriving as a free agent, fitness struggles dictated the flow of his career as the years passed. The past two seasons, in particular, were very difficult for the player.
With his departure, Real Madrid opened up a vacancy in central defence which Ibrahima Konate appears set to fill.
What was also rendered vacant after his departure was the No. 4 kit, and there appears to be serious competition to grab that number.
Two Spaniards collide
As reported by Miguel Angel Diaz, Real Madrid defenders Dean Huijsen and Raul Asencio have both enquired about the No. 4 kit and are thus competing for the coveted jersey number next season.
Dean Huijsen of Real Madrid
Huijsen is vying for the #4 shirt. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
While Huijsen began the season placed above Asencio on the pecking order, there was not much to separate the two by the time the campaign ended, and it becomes difficult to make a case for either star to inherit the kit over the other.
What is clear, however, is that both players’ position on the pecking order will change under Jose Mourinho and it remains to be seen how they fare under the new manager.
Over the years, Real Madrid’s number 4 jersey has been donned by several club legends.
Before Alaba took over, Sergio Ramos was the undisputed owner of the kit for a decade and a half. Other notable players who donned the kit include Fernando Hierro and Emilio Butragueno.
Implications of the new signing
Marc Cucurella of Chelsea
What shirt number will Cucurella wear at Real Madrid? (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
The entire saga of who will take over Alaba’s No. 4 jersey also has a direct implication on the number the team’s new left-back Marc Cucurella will don.
At Chelsea, the La Masia graduate wore the No. 3 shirt, but that is taken by Eder Militao and is unlikely to be freed anytime in the near future.
His next preference is the number he uses with the Spanish national team – No. 24 – one that is currently occupied by Dean Huijsen.
Should Huijsen win the race against Asencio and take the #4 shirt, Cucurella can take the #24 from him. Otherwise, he will have to settle for a different kit number altogether.