It has been a successful loan stint for young Spanish center back Jesús Vallejo at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany this season. The Real Madrid loanee has been a regular in the Frankfurt starting lineup, and looked set to return to Madrid to vie for a rotational role in the first team squad. However, that plan to bring Vallejo back might be put on hold. Ben Sundock has more.
With Pepe set to leave this summer in favor of a bigger contract in China, Real Madrid and manager Zinedine Zidane will be looking to their younger talent to supply the depth that we have become so accustomed to seeing over the course of this year.
However, promising center back, Jesús Vallejo, doesn’t seem to be in Zidane’s plans yet.
Marca are reporting that Los Blancos have decided to let the young Spaniard stay in Germany on loan for another season to get more playing time and experience.
Vallejo might return to Frankfurt for the 2017/2018 season, after making 25 appearances this season in all competition, 22 of which were starts in Bundesliga play. A torn abductor has forced him out for the remainder of the season, and likely for the summer, but this has not deterred Real from bringing Jesús back after next season.
Another option for Vallejo might be at VFL Wolfsburg, where there has been considerable interest voiced in the promising talent.
The play of Marcos Llorente this season on loan at Deportivo Alavés, has been very impressive as well. So much so, that it has led some critics to believe that a return to Madrid, permanently, might be coming soon.
Llorente has started all 30 games for Alavés this season, averaging a match rating of 7.18 according to WhoScored. While Llorente has started all his games this year in the center midfield, or the defensive midfield, he could be slotted into the center back position if needed, thanks to his great versatility. Marcos is currently averaging 4 tackles per mach, and just shy of 3 interceptions per match.
Seeing his impressive performances defensively, Zidane could look to play Llorente over Vallejo, despite it not being his natural position.
While Vallejo might not be in Zidane’s plans for the upcoming season, this young player is definitely a guy to keep track of as he has been very impressive all year.
As it stands, we should be seeing Marcos Llorente back in a white uniform come this fall, and it should be a sight to see.