Ibrahima Konaté of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
According to Mundo Deportivo, Ibrahima Konate is on course to return for Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Villarreal on Saturday after completing the full training session with his teammates at Valdebebas on Tuesday morning.
Konate was one of several Real Madrid players to suffer an injury while away with his national team, in his case France.
The centre-back was injured during a training session and returned to Madrid, where he was diagnosed with an injury to the collateral ligament in his right leg that was expected to keep him out for around a week.
Konate eases Mourinho’s defensive concerns
Konate has been recovering at Valdebebas and now looks ready to feature at the Santiago Bernabeu against Villarreal this weekend.
He completed the entire session with the group and, barring any setbacks, will be available to José Mourinho on Saturday.
His return would provide a major boost to Real Madrid’s options in central defence. Dean Huijsen is suspended, Raul Asencio is injured and Eder Militao, despite having trained for several days, lacks match fitness after spending months on the sidelines.
Ibrahima Konaté of Real Madrid
Back in training. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
That had left Antonio Rudiger as Mourinho’s only fully fit senior centre-back. If Konate is available against Villarreal, the manager will not need to consider using Aurelien Tchouameni or Denzel Dumfries in central defence.
International players gradually return
Meanwhile, the Real Madrid coach also began welcoming back some of his internationals today, with Vinicius Jr., Endrick, Brahim Diaz, Yan Diomande and Denzel Dumfries taking part in the second training session of the week at the Ciudad Real Madrid.
The five joined Militao, Alvaro Carreras, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin, who were among the first-team players not called up by their countries.
Thiago Pitarch also trained with the senior squad after accumulating minutes with Castilla and Spain Under-20s during the international break.
Vinicius Jr., Brazil and Real Madrid player
Back in training after international duty. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva have not yet returned after representing their respective national teams.
Meanwhile, Huijsen and Marc Cucurella could be in action for Spain against Croatia later tonight, although Carlos Espi has been left out of the squad.
Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold also have a match for England against the Czech Republic today.
Real Madrid return to competitive action on Saturday 10 October, when they host Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday eight. Mourinho’s side currently sit fourth in the league, six points behind leaders Barcelona.
Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez of Real Madrid
Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website
Although we are yet to even reach the halfway point of the campaign, Real Madrid have witnessed enough to be planning for the coming future.
One of the club’s priorities will be to add more depth in central defence, with Jose Mourinho notably having just one viable option at centre-back heading into the next game against Villarreal.
Real Madrid have been linked with various centre-backs across Europe over the summer and the latest to join the list is Stuttgart’s Finn Jeltsch.
Real Madrid need more veteran signings
However, according to Jorge Picon (h/t Madrid Zone), Real Madrid believe the club require more experienced options at centre-back.
Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid
Rudiger is expected to leave next summer. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
This is despite the fact that the club remain interested in someone like Jeltsch, who has showcased his abilities in the Bundesliga.
This is hardly surprising given that Real Madrid do indeed lack experience at the back, having had to part ways with Nacho Fernandez, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal in recent times.
The club are also expected to part ways with Antonio Rudiger next summer, with his current contract expiring at the end of the season.
What are Real Madrid’s options?
It is quite possible that Real Madrid may opt to sign not one but two centre-backs next summer, provided Raul Asencio and Rudiger leave the club in the summer.
Will Real Madrid go after Bastoni next summer? (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Rudiger’s exit may warrant the addition of an experience centre-back, who can not only offer leadership skills but is also good with the ball.
Real Madrid have been linked with the likes of Alessandro Bastoni and Nico Schlotterbeck and it won’t be surprising to see them being back on the club’s radar next summer.
On the flip side, Real Madrid may also go after a young, budding centre-back, who may eventually emerge as a potential replacement for someone like Eder Militao – a player struggling with injuries.
The coming months, therefore, will be interesting as Real Madrid look to build their roadmap for the defensive reinforcements, for the summer of 27. It will be equally interesting to see whether or not the club move ahead with signings in January as well.