Sergio Martinez of Real Madrid
Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website
Among all the signings Real Madrid made in the summer, Sergio Martinez’s name went under the radar the most.
The youngster joined RM Castilla for a fee of €3 million following an excellent stint at Racing Santander, which had made him one of the most sought-after young footballers in Spain.
Almost two months into the new season, Martinez has been performing well for RM Castilla and is starting to catch the eye of Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho keeping tabs on Martinez
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho is constantly keeping an eye on Martinez. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
According to Diario AS, the Real Madrid manager has firmly kept his sights on Sergio Martinez, a midfielder with a tremendous amount of potential.
The ongoing international break has given Mourinho more time to keep an eye on the youngster, as he was present in RM Castilla’s recent victory over Atletico Madrileno at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Friday.
Although it wasn’t the best of performances from Martinez, it is firm reminder that Mourinho is very keen on observing the progress of the Spaniard.
Martinez had earlier impressed the former AS Roma manager in the Under-20 Intercontinental Cup at the Bernabeu, in front of 50,000 people.
Martinez must be patient
Sergio Martinez of Real Racing Club
Sergio Martinez has shown real promise so far. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
As far as the first-team is concerned, Martinez has yet to make his debut for Real Madrid, even though he was involved in two league matches at the start of the season when he was still at Racing.
Given that he had already scored in his debut La Liga game, one would expect Martinez to be frustrated at the lack of opportunities at Real Madrid.
However, the player must remain patient. He has already strong qualities at RM Castilla and has a playing style similar to Toni Kroos, something the club have been lacking for years now.
Real Madrid’s current midfield is also far from perfect and Mourinho has been yearning for someone who can control the game in the middle of the park.
Sergio Martinez has the quality to become that solution in the Los Blancos midfield. But he must wait for his breakthrough, knowing that even a minor injury crisis could force Mourinho to try him out soon in the first-team.
Jose Mourinho could turn to midfield star as Real Madrid defensive crisis deepens
Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid seem to have no visible end to their centre-back problem, which has affected the club over the last couple of seasons.
It almost feels like the position is cursed for Los Blancos, with injuries happening on a wholesale basis regardless of the personnel.
With the situation as it is at the moment, Aurelien Tchouameni could once again be asked to solve Real Madrid’s problems at centre-back.
According to FOX Deportes, Antonio Rudiger could be Mourinho’s only natural senior centre-back available against Villarreal on 10 October. That has brought Tchouameni back into consideration as an emergency defensive option.
Tchouameni emerges as solution
Dean Huijsen is suspended, while Ibrahima Konate is recovering from a minor collateral ligament sprain in his right knee.
Raul Asencio has undergone surgery and Eder Militao is still completing his rehabilitation from the hamstring injury he suffered in April.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid player
Tchouameni is no stranger to playing at central defence. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Militao has returned to group training, but Los Blancos will know better than to rush the Brazilian back into action.
That leaves Rudiger, whose own workload needs careful management following his knee problems, potentially carrying the entire burden at centre-back.
Tchouameni therefore represents Mourinho’s most obvious solution. The France midfielder has experience in the position from Carlo Ancelotti’s spell in charge.
His physical strength, aerial ability and composure in possession mean Madrid would not simply be placing a midfielder into defence and hoping for the best.
One solution creates another problem
The complication is what Madrid lose elsewhere by moving Tchouameni to central defence.
He has become important to the balance of Mourinho’s midfield, particularly alongside Fede Valverde.
Removing him from that area would force another reshuffle at a moment when Madrid are already searching for greater control in possession.
Fede Valverde is also currently nursing an injury and might not be ready to start the game against Villarreal.
Marc Pubill, Atletico Madrid player
Tchouameni playing in defence opens up a spot in variety . (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Therefore, moving Tchouameni to defence would force Mourinho to use a partnership like Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva in midfield, which is largely untested.
Mourinho’s other option
Mario Rivas offers Mourinho another possibility. The academy defender featured during pre-season, scored against Ferencvaros and has already been included in several senior matchday squads.
However, Mourinho needs to have the courage to throw in a youngster against Inigo Perez’s team, who will not make it easy for him.
Mourinho has important decisions to make when club football resumes, and it remains to be seen how he goes about choosing Rudiger’s partner for the game against the Yellow Submarine.